Podcast Expat authors: the successors of Joyce and Shelley

By Clare O’Dea

Four book covers

MP3 file Description

Switzerland has long been a destination for English-language writers, drawn by its gorgeous scenery and tranquil lifestyle.

Great authors who found inspiration in Switzerland include Mary Shelley, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, Patricia Highsmith and Ernest Hemingway.

Today, the country is home to a thriving English-language literary scene and a number of critically acclaimed and bestselling authors.

For this programme, Clare O’Deaexternal link, the author of The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Mythsexternal link, met four writers in their adopted habitat.

Featured authors: Susan Jane Gilmanexternal link, Jason Donaldexternal link, Alison Andersonexternal link, Anne Korkeakiviexternal link

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Susan Jane Gilman Quiet and alone in a Swiss room

Best-selling author of The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street, Susan Jane Gilman, shares a scoop of the sweet treat with Clare O'Dea.

By Clare O'Dea

Jason Donald Writer, economic migrant and orchid

A nomadic life has shaped the world view of author Jason Donald. He tells Clare O’Dea about the ‘undeserved privilege’ that has inspired his novels.

By Clare O'Dea in Gstaad

Alison Anderson Time travelling writer returns to Switzerland

Clare O’Dea visits author Alison Anderson in her Lake Geneva home, close to echoes of her past, as part of our English-language author series.

By Clare O’Dea

Anne Korkeakivi Writer of the world in an international city

As much at home in the outdoors as in the city, American author Anne Korkeakivi has found the perfect mix in Geneva.

By Clare O'Dea

From Byron to Le Carré Switzerland works its magic on famous writers

Switzerland has been a great inspiration for famous authors down the centuries, and now an Irish writer resident here has tried to find out why.

Opinion Investigating 10 myths about Switzerland

After more than a decade as a journalist in Switzerland, Clare O’Dea explains what motivated her to write a new book on the country, The Naked Swiss:

By Clare O'Dea

Clare O'Dea The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

Switzerland is often too perfect to be true, as Clare O'Dea observes in this entertaining book on how the country ticks.

By Ralph Atkins, Financial Times

in depth

Making Switzerland home

Expat, immigrant, foreigner: Whatever you call yourself, you’re in good company. One in four people living in Switzerland is not Swiss.

Podcast Boring, crooked bankers? 10 Swiss myths, uncovered

Irish-Swiss author and former swissinfo.ch journalist Clare O'Dea investigates assumptions often levelled against the Swiss in her new book "The ...

By Veronica DeVore

An outsider’s view An Englishman wants to know: How Swiss are you?

How do you laugh like a Swiss? How should foreigners behave? Author Diccon Bewes takes a look these and other intriguing questions in his new book.

By Kathrin Ammann

Mapping Switzerland Putting the art in cartography

“A map is the perfect pictorial way to explain and entertain,” writes Diccon Bewes, author of Around Switzerland in 80 Maps, a new book that ...

Books Irish author maps out literary Switzerland

Many writers have found shelter, inspiration and adventure in Switzerland. A new book distils two centuries of literature with Swiss connections.

By Susan Misicka in Basel

Podcast Paging through Switzerland

Countless writers have found inspiration in Switzerland. Irish author Padraig Rooney takes us on a literary walking tour of Basel.

By Susan Misicka

Podcast How to travel like a local in Switzerland

American writer Chantal Panozzo lived in Switzerland for almost ten years – long enough to fill a book with nearly 100 travel tips.

By Susan Misicka, Baden