Michel Faber
Apr 06, 2025•28 min
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Summary
Author Michel Faber joins Book Club to discuss his debut novel, Under the Skin. He delves into the instinctive writing process for the book, contrasting it with his more planned works, and explains how his own sense of alienation influenced the character of Isserley. The conversation explores the novel's themes of othering, the dystopian alien society, the significance of Isserley's appearance and vulnerability, and connections to other literary works.Episode description
This month BBC Radio 4's Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie, speaks to the writer Michel Faber about his debut novel, Under the Skin. Published in the year 2000 by Canongate it went on to be shortlisted for the Whitbread Award that same year. The book follows the female protagonist of Isserley who roves the A9 in the Scottish Highlands looking to pick up hitchhikers (preferably ones with big muscles). In 2013 the book was made into a film, shot in Glasgow, and directed by Jonathan Glazer. It starred Scarlett Johansson as Isserley.
Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
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