Book of my Life: Simone Atangana Bekono about 'Giovanni's Room' | (Dutch spoken)

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 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.

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.

Simone Atangana Bekono will return to the Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague in January to receive the Jan Campert Prize 2024 for her book Marshmallow. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday afternoon, January 25, 2025, at the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague, as part of the festival program.

What is Writers Unlimited?

More than one hundred authors, poets, spoken word artists, and musicians perform at the Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival, held annually in the third week of January across The Hague in theaters, libraries, and schools. The festival focuses on live performances of poetry, storytelling, and spoken word. Authors also discuss current topics inspired by recent books. Additionally, Writers Unlimited hosts monthly Writers Series programs in The Hague, bringing together writers, journalists, thinkers, poets, artists, and audiences to exchange their literary work, experiences, dreams, and ideas across cultural and linguistic boundaries. All information can be found at http://writersunlimited.nl.

Credits:
Host: Abdelkader Benali
Guest: Simone Atangana Bekono
Book of My Life is a program by Writers Unlimited.