Anne McEwen is one of the most celebrated authors of our time.

He's the Booker Prize-winning writer behind 19 novels, including Atonement, Enduring Love,

The Children Act, and on Chesel Beach, all of which have been adapted for the screen.

His latest novel, What We Can Know, is a genre-defying masterpiece that explores not only the consequences of climate change,

but also the role of memory, art, and human connection, and an uncertain future.

At 77, McEwen continues to push literary boundaries,

asking questions about who we are, what we value, and how technology and humanity might coexist.

I sat down with Ian to talk about the inspiration behind his new novel, the impact his books

have had on readers all over the world and the transformative power of literature.

He also opens up about his early love of reading, his writing routine, and what it means to be an author in the age of AI.

I'm Jenna Bush-Hager. Welcome to my podcast, Open Book with Jenna.

Thank you. Welcome to my podcast, Open Book with Jenna. Ian, I'm such a fan of your work.

Some of my favorite novels have been out of your brain. And I'm sure

you hear that and you've heard it for many years. How does that sit with you that so many people

have read your work? Occasionally, and this is the biggest and best review I ever get is when

young couples come and introduce me to their children and they met

because he spotted her reading one of my books that he knew backwards and it was an immediate chat

upline they dated they married they had children I think I have a picture dating back in the late

80s being in Rome in a bookshop, surrounded by five children.

So when Orden says poetry makes nothing happen, well, there is one thing.

Yes, I was going to say, if I saw my husband reading one of your books, except for maybe

on Chesel Beach, because...

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