Let me say right upfront what a delight William Dalrymple was to interview. Charming, eloquent and fun, he was happy to free range over any number of topics – India, libraries, his home and his writing. You can read a transcript of my interview with him on the Christchurch City Libraries website.
However, to get the full flavour of a Dalrymple encounter you need to visualise the event as a piece of street theatre. This man does not sit still – ever. In the thirty minutes I had with him he ate biscuits, drank coffee, water and juice, threw himself about the room fetching and carrying for both of us whilst tossing conversational gems over his shoulder. I scurried about clutching my Marantz all the while trying to remember Richard’s instructions about sound quality. Such a pity we never caught it all on film.
Suffice it to say that by the time he left to meet up with Josie his “minder” (who used to be an NLA by the way), he was on a caffeine and sugar high. He left the room exhorting me to “Eat, Drink, Help Yourself!” I pressed the stop button on the recorder. Heaven help the next interviewer was all I could think.
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 
Wow. Sounds fabulous 😉 And great to know that NLAs go on to great things – am very jealous that Josie got to be William’s minder. How lucky!
I would like to hear what he had to say & how he said it. Have you recorded this interview as a podcast, if so where can I access it please?
There are a disappointing few of the Akl R. & W. festival podcasts on Radio NZ National’s website.
Hi Gaye – you can browse all of our available audio, which includes an excerpt of the William Dalrymple interview where he talks about libraries. I think Radio New Zealand usually make more audio available later in the year.