Book of my Life: Simone Atangana Bekono about 'Giovanni's Room'

21 November 2024 Podcast

Simone Atangana Bekono | By Lin Woldendorp

Listen to the Book of My Life podcast, where writers share the book that has inspired or moved them—the book that has shaped their artistic, moral, or intellectual compass. In short, the book they recommend to everyone. This podcast is a re-publication of the live program, part of the annual Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague.

In this Dutch spoken episode, Simone Atangana Bekono chose Giovanni's Room, the 1956 novel by James Baldwin. The book focuses on the events in the life of an American man living in Paris and his feelings and frustrations with his relationships with other men in his life, particularly an Italian bartender named Giovanni whom he meets at a Parisian gay bar.

During the 2024 Writers Unlimited Festival, in conversation with Abdelkader Benali, she shared how this book has inspired or moved her.

This podcast is released in the run-up to the annual Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague. Listen to the podcast here or via your favorite podcast platform.

In this first season of the Book of My Life podcast, we’re not only revisiting recent conversations but also diving into the archives. In celebration of 30 years of Writers Unlimited, we’ve selected several memorable episodes from the past—featuring both Book of My Life and Text of My Life—that have stayed with us over the years.

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20 May 2026

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