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Ruth Ozeki, writer

Michael Berkeley's guest is the writer and Zen Buddhist priest Ruth Ozeki.

Ruth Ozeki won the Women鈥檚 Prize for Fiction in 2022 with her novel The Book of Form and Emptiness. The judges called it a 鈥檆omplete joy to read.鈥

She鈥檚 also a film-maker and a Zen Buddhist priest, and her books draw on her Japanese-American heritage.

They also convey her deep concern for our environment, taking on topics such as industrial agriculture, ocean pollution and mass consumerism.

Her most recent book, The Typing Lady and Other Fictions, is her first collection of short stories 鈥 and the Typing Lady of the title has more than a little in common with Ruth herself.

Ruth Ozeki's music includes Albeniz, Praetorius, Prokofiev and Benny Goodman.

24 days left to listen

1 hour, 26 minutes

Music Played

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Peter and the Wolf (The Duck)

    Narrator: Boris Karloff. Orchestra: Vienna Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Mario Rossi.
    • Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf, Lieutenant Kije Symphonic Suite.
    • IndieBlu Music.
    • 4.
  • Gunild Keetman

    Gassenhauer (Musica Poetica)

    Conductor: Carl Orff.
    • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
  • Isaac Alb茅niz

    Asturias (Suite espa帽ola)

    Music Arranger: John Williams. Performer: John Williams.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Flute Sonata (1st mvt)

    Performer: Jean鈥怭ierre Rampal. Performer: Francis Poulenc.
    • Poulenc.
    • ACCORD.
    • 8.
  • Michael Praetorius

    Bransle de la Torche (Dances from Terpsichore)

    Ensemble: New London Consort.
    • Praetorius: Dances from Terpsichore, 1612.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Addio del passato (La Traviata)

    Singer: Montserrat Caball茅. Conductor: Georges Pr锚tre.
    • The Essential Montserrat Caball茅 [International Version].
    • RCA Red Seal.
    • 8.
  • Sigur R贸s

    Flugufrelsarinn

    Ensemble: Kronos Quartet.
    • Plays Sigur R贸s.
    • Nonesuch.
    • 1.
  • Esteban Daza

    Quien te hizo, Juan Pastor

    Performer: Shirley Rumsey. Singer: Shirley Rumsey.
    • Music of the Spanish Renaissance.
    • Naxos.
    • 2.
  • Louis Prima

    Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)

    Ensemble: Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.
    • Benny Goodman's Greatest Hits.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 6.
  • Nick Drake

    Time Has Told Me

    Singer: Nick Drake.
    • Five Leaves Left.
    • Universal-Island Records Ltd..
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Sunday 12:00

Podcast