BOOK REVIEW:Talking with Margaret Throsby

As Throsby admits herself, there was doubt in my mind that this collection of transcripted interviews from the ABC’s Classic FM, dating back as far as 1997 with Dr Oliver Sacks through to Billy Bragg earlier this year, would lose context and spirit in the written form. However, to the contrary, the text format works in a strange way to bring focus to the content of the interviews, rather than the music, which naturally dominates in the radio version.

As someone quite new to Throsby’s show, (despite it running since 1994) I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology, which unites a diverse smorgasbord of personalities, from Paul Keating to Bill Henson, David Malouf to the mountaineer, Lincoln Hall. As well as highlighting the thoughts, passions and experiences of the interviewee, the written word reveals Throsby’s impressive talent for getting famous people to reveal themselves.

As she mentions in the introduction, it is amazing how the music, which of course is absent in this form, acts as a powerful trigger to emotion and memory, creating a wonderful intimacy for the listener (or, in this case, the reader).

The selection of interviewees is suitably eclectic with a good mix of Australian and international names across a cross-section of fields from the arts to politics, music and medicine. Through Throsby’s wit, intelligence, knowledge and warmth, we learn something new about the people she is interviewing, far beyond their music preferences. Not all subjects select classical music either, and the breadth of music cited is as varied as the talent.

The collection also works in providing a brilliant overview of important world events of the second half of the twentieth century as many of the interviewees have been at the centre of things. For example, the Gerry Adams interview provides extraordinary insight into negotiations between Sinn Fein and the Unionists during the Blair years.

My only frustration with the book was that it did not include a CD of the music. How much more satisfying it would have been to be able to listen to the music as I was reading and I now have a long list of songs to track down. To be honest, I do think something is lost in the written form and if you asked me whether I’d prefer to read or listen, I would undeniably say the latter. Firstly, you miss out on the timbre and emotion of the interviewee and, secondly, the discussion about the music is meaningless unless you have the particular track to hand.

However, the book does function as an intimate snapshot of recent history and provides, by virtue of the interviewees juxtaposed, an inspirational distillation of what can be achieved by people with passion, conviction, stamina and a strong desire to have a positive impact on the world. It also shows just what a masterful interviewer Throsby truly is.

Talking with Margaret Throsby
Published by Allen & Unwin
Available at bookstores across Australia.