Sally Rooney on 'Conversations with Friends' | Writer Sally Rooney | Louisiana Channel

“The history of the novel is really a history of the love story.” Enjoy this lively conversation with the praised literary phenomenon, Sally Rooney, who has been hailed as “the Salinger for the Snapchat generation.” The Irish writer talks about love in relation to her prizewinning novel ‘Conversations with Friends’.
“Every time I moved one, I was interested to see how all the others moved.” Through the rectangular dynamics between four different people, Rooney explores why love is so central to our idea of being human. The narrator - who is preoccupied with the idea of the capitalist transactional nature of how our social world is structured - engages in an affair with a married man and immediately understands the archetype that this kind of story conforms to. This, however, also prevents her from understanding what’s actually going on: “She superimposes a familiar narrative on what’s going on in her personal life.”
Rooney doesn’t believe in the unaffected individual unit: “There is no you without others. There is no version of yourself that isn’t constantly influenced by everybody else in your life.” Any language of the theory that we use to explain human experience “on an analytical or conceptual level,” she argues, is hard to make work in our everyday life. When she writes, Rooney asks herself how to take these ideas and principles “and make sense of them not in a broad social or political way, but in a very miniature way of people’s intimate lives, of love stories? How can a love story be Marxist?” People, she continues, can indeed be changed by other people, as we need others to love us, and the importance of human relationships should not be disregarded: “Whatever form they take. They don’t need to be conventional, they can be very unconventional, but they’re not just optional, you can’t just opt out of the rest of humankind.”
Sally Rooney (b. 1991) is an Irish writer. Rooney is the author of ‘Conversations with Friends’ (2017) and ‘Normal People’ (2018). The latter won the ‘Irish Novel of the Year’ at the Irish Book Awards as well the Costa Book Award, which Rooney is the youngest novelist to land. Rooney is also the winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award 2017. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Granta and The London Review of Books. Moreover, she is the editor of the Irish literary journal The Stinging Fly.
Sally Rooney was interviewed by Martin Krasnik at the Louisiana Literature festival at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark in August 2018.
Camera: Jakob Solbakken & Simon Weyhe
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Produced by: Christian Lund
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2019
Supported by Nordea-fonden
#SallyRooney #ConversationsWithFriends #Interview
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[@user-ml6eu8vi2q]

Interviewing well requires a soft and self-confident control of the conversation. The interviewer is a perfect example of how seeking to elevate and portray yourself as an intellectual can spoil the dynamic. The part where Sally asks a question and he butts in saying 'no don't ask that question' was totally charmless. Sally was very good and as an interviewer you don't have to try and contradict every bloody thing your guest says.

[@gingersal8052]

Normal People is the first book I've read by Sally Rooney, and I know it got the better reviews but Conversations with friends holds a special place in my heart. Such a good book.

[@emmama450]

Yeah, Conversations with friends also is my favourite one.

[@Germs0o]

Same, I like this one way more than Normal People

[@carlabermeo3591]

Same ;-;

[@anogoyadagaate8259]

Read Conversations with Friends first; Normal People is really an anthem to teenage/first blush love. its excruciatingly prescient in its ability to capture what its like to walk away from the love of your life knowing how terribly you fucked shit up for the 500th time and wondering how many chances you are gonna blow, and if there's even gonna be another chance.

[@Filayevna]

I was not going to comment originally, but as I was listening to the interview, I could not contain myself any longer and I had to say something. Firstly, I enjoyed the book and was very happy to hear Sally Rooney discuss the inner points. There is so much more going on in the novel than just the love story that the interviewer seemed to want to reduce it to. He was rude. He constantly interrupted her. It's upsetting me because I really wanted to hear her opinions and her thorough analysis of her own work. She knows the book and the characters' motivations regardless of whether he thinks it should be different than what it is. It seems like he even goes so far as to questioning what she believes and the opinion or thought she just finished explaining in a very thorough and measured manner. It is interesting to me, or maybe not interesting so much as curious that the two comments defending the interviewer, Martin Krasnik, are from males. I won't say that he did not make interesting points, he did, however his propensity to interrupt, downplay, patronize, and in other ways "mansplain", to use the parlance of our times was unfortunate, uncomfortable at times, and unprofessional.

[@CallumHunt]

I totally agree that he was rude..however I think it did push her to deliver answers that we haven't heard before in other interviews. Generally her views aren't challenged - so it was insightful to see her defend them.I agree though that he didn't need to belittle her constantly in the way her did.Not a fan of him.

[@valentinajacome]

He’s rude

[@j.s3300]

How dare he hurt your hero

[@Martinullis]

I don't belive an accliamed male writer would be treated in such a rude and even dimissive way by this interviewer. This was honestly painful to watch and I continued only due to my interest at her analysis of the novel.

[@mrajabalmukarrom]

Sally Rooney is very clever. No wonder her novels are great. Both Conversation with Friends & Normal People are brilliant!

[@santanudas8874]

I finished the book in one day.

[@Randyfarhi517]

Same!!

[@sleepiyu9647]

Me too

[@maria6391]

same !!

[@josephgoogles1927]

That bad was it..she is a vile racist

[@elenaelena4677]

Me too. On the first day I threw it in the trash.

[@readingwritingracing]

I’m obsessed with the ending. “Ecstatic wretchedness” is so so good

[@beag4961]

This interviewer is trying to be a star here and he keeps failing disastrously, Rooney's brilliantly eloquent intelligence makes him sound like an annoying fly which you just want to let out through the closest window. Sally, you are fantastically intelligent. Thank you so much for your books. (and he keeps wagging his index finger and interrupting her all the time!)

[@rachelfoy2380]

I am so frustrated by this interviewer. Every time I feel Rooney is just on the cusp of concluding a fantastic point, she is interrupted and undermined. Very disappointing.

[@dandywendy1]

exactly! and he seems like he doesnt take her seriosly. he has a kind of an attitude that he thinks he is above her. kind of trying to be flirtatous by being annoying and I believe that he is doing it on purpose, very aware of himself.

[@fantasiandolivros]

yeees

[@jessallen1856]

Such a dick this guy

[@CharlotteElizabeth92]

Yes :( And it doesn't help that he sounds like a computer.

[@pollygannon]

I so agree with all these comments . . . (I was thinking it was just me, until I found them; to my great relief.)

[@markcorrigan197]

‘I find it just so staggering--that you're supposed to explain the meaning of your book to some total stranger! If I knew what the meanings of my books were, I wouldn't have bothered to write them.’ - Margaret Drabble. It’s one thing when the writer has to justify their book to strangers, but when an interviewer attempts to do it on their behalf it is almost unbearable!

[@gloria7086]

This interviewer is simply excruciating... His constant patronizing and paternalistic attitude and comments are so embarrassing. I can't believe that an international literature festival and a cultural institution such as Louisiana couldn't find a more suitable person to interview Sally Rooney. It is even ironic that the writer herself has to experience such an obvious situation of sexism, as if this interview constituted another example of the inequalities and differences in power relations reflected in her novels.

[@user-wy2pp3dw2d]

I love her and her books so much 🥺

[@juliegoldberg8950]

"what is the love story you would take to an island without your boyfriend?"...rly????? she still manages to give a thoughtful, complex answer despite the silliness of the question's premise but jeeez

[@anogoyadagaate8259]

Not sure why everyone seems to read sexism into that; would the reaction be the same if a male author was asked 'what book would you take to an island without your girlfriend/partner?' I'm honestly trying to understand cos I think ther's a kinder interpretation to the request.

[@reillanne]

maybe if they do ask male writers that, in which they often don't ​@@anogoyadagaate8259

[@majarakusic161]

She seems so not there and then fully there... She is so lovely.

[@esmewarmuth8780]

Was anyone else rooting for Francis to end up with Bobbi? I feel like her and Bobbi challenged each other, they weren't endlessly apologetic to each other like Nick was with her. Bobbi helped Francis to feel her feelings and to be happy with her lot in life; it wasn't a pipe dream like the love with Nick was. I don't know, I liked the sweet passion she had with Nick but I feel that Bobbi really deeply understood her! Her and Bobbi fought, sure, but their apologies were so heartfelt and showed such a deep understanding of each other. I feel like they complimented each other, her and Bobbi, and their relationship was layered and needed work, but had a very solid foundation. The affair with Nick felt trivial, I wasn't rooting for it. I loved all the scenes of Bobbi taking care of Francis, she was such a good friend even when they weren't romantic.

[@cacaktuaaa5695]

i think they were romantic but in their own way. there isn't one definition for love and how to be in love. i also liked them as a couple and this is why i was disapponted by the ending of the book, but as Rooney said in this interview Nick probably stayed married to Melissa and Bobby kept being in Francis life.. i just dont know how and even the writer doesn't knows, it all so ambiguous and complex. I also was suprised by bobbi nlt wanting the term 'girlfriends' to define them, as an imposing entity that already exists.. i've thought about that with the term "wife/husband" or just "married" but never with "boyfriend/girlfriend", it's an interesting concept. aaand yeah i was rooting for them but i was biased by my sexual orientation (bisexual) and wanting to see more lesbian visibility.

[@lavachebeadsman]

Bobbi is so manipulative though. She holds an enormous amount of power over Frances, and if they'd ended up together, Frances would be doing whatever Bobbi wanted. I think I like Rooney's explanation here--she doesn't end up with Bobbie or even with Nick. Both relationships were a necessary step towards her finding her own way in the world.

[@gingersal8052]

From the last third onwards, when Bobbi's here for her when she's sick, I really wanted them to be back together. But I also loved Frances' relationship with Nick in the last scene.

[@neotropic]

She impresses me positively.

[@neotropic]

Maple A. Yes! Very good! The opposite of positive is negative.

[@toanpham2246]

I know that Martin Krasnik’ interrupts Sally Rooney a few times but I really enjoyed his followed up questions, which makes it easier for me to understand their interesting characters and makes it into a great Conversation, rather than an interview with unconnected questions and answer! Also I do agree, it is indeed a great ending of her first book, now that I know it ...

[@tomlangford4078]

Beautiful ending to a novel

[@kareeem]

she is amazing

[@aliwatts]

only watchable when you fast forward every time he opens his mouth

[@dandywendy1]

I believe we will see this interviewer in one of Sally Rooney's future novels as a stereotypical asshole :))) he really does a good job with embodying such a cliché attitude and supplies the material for her ahaha

[@Silvia-tg9qq]

This first book of her is my favorite. I like the end she chosed. I am italian, I should have read it in english.

[@DarrenCondron]

I am Irish and I’m learning Italian, I would like to read it in your language some day.

[@AbraK_oui]

What an irritating and often rude interviewer... always cutting her off, loves the sound of his boring voice...

[@lowewang2177]

I do think the Rooney is right ---the pan principle is so important to all people, cause the principle make people lives easier, it is truly a essential way to live a life by the principles~!

[@indie8189]

I actually cried over the last page, which is the last phone conversation they had.

[@daisy-beaflett3415]

so do i. sometimes i just read it over and wow i dont think it could of actually ended better.

[@wordmaterialist]

SAME!

[@indie8189]

@@daisy-beaflett3415 Agreed. I read both of Rooney's novels, loved them. BBC is making a TV show of Normal People. Can't wait to see it.

[@daisy-beaflett3415]

@indie no way!!! I just finished normal people the other dayyyy OMG!! I think I like conversations with friends better but they are both great!!

[@indie8189]

@@daisy-beaflett3415 I feel the same way. Normal People are about high school kids, too young for me ;) I relate to Conversations.

[@cedrickobtial2758]

I can't stop laughing with that Jane Austen thing!!

[@tommasodonati_]

i finished the book in one day

[@yourdailymood2481]

I think he would play a really good role as Nick in the film Conversation with friends

[@santanudas8874]

I'm so certain that the interviewer has not read the book. Such an arrogant fool interrupting her constantly.

[@myessyallyahamericus8405]

You are one of them.

[@Skylarkfly67]

wow the interviewer keeps interrupting her and talking over her...so rude

[@widM_]

he was annoying a bit, what bothered me the most that he wanted her to read the ending. I mean like wtf? I know it's not a spoiler in a classic story driven book but it's still a damn spoiler.

[@kevinhayes6809]

I'm baffled by the negative reaction in prior comments to Martin Krasnik's interviewing style. I thought he got a lot from Rooney and she seemed to be fine with how he interviewed her. Except, perhaps, when he had her read the end to Conversations with Friends. All in all, an illuminating interview.

[@user-ph1cm3xx4n]

absolutely agree. was searching for this comment

[@jessallen1856]

Oh god this guy

[@ryanmainardi3611]

Louisiana should get a better interviewer.

[@kc8923]

Love Sally Rooney, whos the interviewer? Annoying voice and character, wish Sally had told him to shut up for a bit! Normal People is the saddest story ive seen.

[@Claire-om1cw]

Isn't he an utter ball sack!

[@meridiansplendour]

I didn't come here to listen to the interviewer... wtf. Let her talk.

[@akinosuzuki9368]

I thought that to be a good interviewer, you had to be a good listener, so many interviewers get this wrong and feel like they have to wring the speaker dry with a plethora of questions. Just ask the question, be quiet and deeply listen.

[@hezi_dumpling]

Jesus... let her talk pls

[@Toastedtiddies]

i do not get this interviewer. he started off the interview so excited and enthusiastic, only to downplay her opinions like that

[@terenakoster3538]

It is so disappointing that Louisiana Literary festival could invite such an incompetent and simply terrible interviewer to speak with Sally Rooney. He consistently simplifies the nuance and complexity she is working with in love and politics and life and rudely interrupts the conversation anytime she is saying something interesting. Felt so frustrating watching this. !

[@terenakoster3538]

Do better Louisiana.

[@yanaakvilina5212]

love the interviewer: prepared for the talk and with a great sense of humour

[@lorna4550]

14:41

[@lottef.6824]

Well,.. he is kind of rude

[@FervidlyCurious]

Bobbi is beyond irritating Actually all of them are, and maybe thats what works for us as a reader !

[@jessallen1856]

He does get some good answers out of her though

[@myessyallyahamericus8405]

Start with Kary bankson

[@HJ-mk9mz]

Most comments here hate the interviewer. Little eccentric but I thought he skilfully presented a counterpoint: that love is not dictated by conscious principles. End of book agrees.

[@gabigabigabi123]

You do have a good point but I still feel like that's a limited way of thinking. If you simply accept the power dynamics are dictated by unconsciousness and do nothing about it, that makes it harder for the relationships to evolve healthily

[@vanbatenburg]

The writer is pretty good, but Martin Krasnik - the interviewer - now that is a great intellectual !

[@mariaquadeer1004]

Who put this guy there????????

[@jessallen1856]

This interviewer is just bad, sally deserves better! 😅

[@kbunk87]

Men should not interview intelligent female writers

[@Al-ho1oo]

Men? please do not generalize. All men are not this man.

[@eurocityboysimulations7667]

mit Heinrich

[@gabigabigabi123]

does this interviewer know different words other than "love"

[@jameshowe8965]

He knows nothing .

[@rosadenova3868]

Horrible interviewer, who is this man? who chose him to completely spoil and destroy Sally´s interview?

[@sehmcgib]

Had to turn it off after the 5th time she was interrupted 😫

[@lowewang2177]

庸俗時代的愛情沒有政治~

[@Yanglaoshi.]

😂

[@nodisclaimers5138]

danes are so weird, nobody understands their humor lol

[@soniaturvey8694]

U look alot like Gerry macann Madeline s dad just saying

[@zoenutter8475]

This interviewer is terrible. I don't suggest watching this interview. The author seems actively frustrated and bored.

[@Anhorish]

The interviewer is beyond cringe.

[@clairezhangh]

Oh god the interviewer is freaking annoying, I don't know if Sally was annoyed or not but as a listener I am enjoying Sally talk and the interviewer interjects or goes like "yeah yeah" like its some lame guy discussing literature at the pub. Thank goodness I can skip his parts if I was there at the event I would have pulled my hair out at the interruptions!!!

[@izzydavie5505]

really dislike the interviewer highkey

[@hairybowsie77]

Mediocrity upon mediocrity.

[@HumanProgress]

Catholic author looks all around the world…...at every country in the world Hmmm? Who can I boycott ? I know!!!!!!! Jews 😂

[@jamesdolan4042]

I deleted my original comment, if anybody cares. I neither know Sally Rooney or the interviewer enough to offer a valued opinion.

[@bazuin45]

The writer does not want her latest book, "Beautiful World, Where Are You?" to be translated into Hebrew. She joins those who boycott Israel. During the last war with Hamas, she supported the murderous Islamic terrorists. She signed a letter accusing Israel of "apartheid" and calling for the country's international isolation. That anti-Israel attitude will tear her up badly, because Israel is the people of God, it is the apple of His eye. He promised the land to Abraham and his descendants. God spoke to Abraham thus: "Whoever blesses You will be blessed, but whoever curses You will himself be cursed. There is no future for those who hate Israel, for hatred of them is hatred of God. Incidentally, her view has the tinge of anti-Semitism. Return to God!

[@bazuin45]

@@ezzeldien5692 Israel is always to blame. Hamas sends burning balloons across the border, the world is silent. Hamas digs tunnels to enter Israel: the world is silent. Rooney would be a hero if she called it that, now she's cowardly and bouncing on the left-wing Marxist wave of anti-Semitism. Yet Israel will prevail, thanks to God

[@ezzeldien5692]

@@bazuin45 Israel has been besieging Gaza for more than 15 years to make it the largest prison in the world under the worst living conditions imposed by the occupation of the world (you can see the video) any human being under these circumstances. Resistance is a legitimate right according to the United Nations and according to the human conscience kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4u1mK15ncyUfas

[@bazuin45]

@@ezzeldien5692 In 2005, Israel withdrew its settlements from the Gaza Strip, ending the occupation, according to that country. When Hamas won elections and came to power in 2007, Israel placed a total blockade along its border with Israel, in the Gaza Sea and in the air to protect itself. Israel Takes Gaza Back For Peace, But What Did Hamas/Islam Do? Right, hate Israel. Hamas wants to destroy Israel and they use all the development money to buy weapons. You would also protect your home if you had terrorist neighbors?

[@dhihyakhalifah6138]

as it should ❤️

[@ajsuflena156]

She allowed to it be translated to Hebrew with a company that held the rights that was NOT affiliated with the IDF. IDF actively hurts Palestinians

[@elenaelena4677]

👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

[@eoharafisher]

She's really a good writer, but I don'[t think she's the Salinger of her generation. She doesn't have his spiritual depth-- soulfulness.