In this episode Toby speaks to Julieta Abella, an Argentinian scholar working on Irish modernism who can explain the seemingly strange transatlantic connection between Flann O’Brien and Jorge Luis Borges, and much more besides.

Maebh Long, part 2: Technology and the voice of Flann O'Brien

May 26th, 2023 34m 39s

In part 2 of this interview, Maebh and Toby talk about beginnings, originality, hustle and technology in Brian O'Nolan's life and work. Sensationally, Maebh shares a newly unearthed recording of the voice of Brian O’Nolan – it's only the second

Maebh Long, part 1: Flann O’Brien, the anti-institutional institution

May 12th, 2023 30m 55s

Renowned O’Nolan scholar Maebh Long shares an unpublished draft of the famous manifesto in At Swim-Two-Birds, delves into the nature of his collaborations, shares what it's like to collect an edition of letters ... and reaches a surprising conc

Einat Adar: Flann O’Brien on mind, matter and everything

Apr 22nd, 2023 32m 31s

How do we understand The Third Policeman’s atomic theory? Toby and Einat find out via Descartes, the anti-materialism of Leibniz & Berkeley and 20th century physics.

Vincent Francone: Why writers should read Flann O'Brien

Apr 15th, 2023 33m 5s

Toby and a Chicago writer discuss how Flann inspires him. They explore the soft lunacy of books, the uses of bureaucratic jargon and the life of moonlighting writers.

Joseph Brooker: Introducing Brian, Flann and Myles

Apr 1st, 2023 33m 48s

Toby asks a leading expert: who was Flann O’Brien? The answer involves pseudonyms, rarely heard first-hand accounts and a legendary editor of the Irish Times.

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