LLW: Interview with Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times

Loves Labours Watched

This week on Loves Labours Watched, we're chatting to author Naoise Dolan. Dubbed "the next Sally Rooney", Irish writer Naoise just published her first book Exciting Times, which explores the intricacies of human relationships and connection via the story of three young people living in Hong Kong. There's so much well-deserved buzz surrounding the novel, we both loved it. We had a fantastic time chatting to Naoise about why she chose Hong Kong as the setting, the assumptions made about young female novelists, subverting expectations, how she transplanted the themes of the Victorian novel to the present day and why we would watch a socially-distanced-version of Derry Girls. Later, we discuss the tiny joys getting us through this strange time: Helena's getting excited about Eurovision Again and we're both enjoying the roster of plays offered by National Theatre Live. PLUS exciting news about how we're growing the podcast, check out the last few minutes to find out more.