Our latest Salon Exclusive is particularly dear to us. Deborah Orr was a friend of Damian - they grew up in the same corner of Scotland at different times and both wrote memoirs about it. ‘Motherwell’ is Deborah’s memoir and it is as brilliant as the woman herself was. Deborah was a glittering regular at our Salons over the years- maybe you met her there or in the pages of the Guardian, where her interviews and features were legendary. Deborah died before ‘Motherwell’ was published. Her memoir was an instant Sunday Times bestseller but she never saw its success. It’s out in paperback this month, and we’re pleased to share with you this very special reading which gives a taste of her incredible life and extraordinary talent. This extract is read by her friend and literary peer Andrew O'Hagan and also features a tribute from Damian. In ‘Motherwell’ Deborah unpacks the emotional baggage she was burdened with by her mother Win whose expectations shaped her childhood and ultimately her future. It’s a memoir about how a deeper understanding of the place and people you have come from can bring you towards redemption. The Observer describes it as 'A fitting legacy left by a blazing talent'. Waterstones have made ‘Motherwell’ their non-fiction book of the month. To discover this story for yourself, we recommend picking up a copy of the newly published paperback from Waterstones or your local independent bookshop. ‘Motherwell’ (published by Orion) is also available through our shop on Bookshop.org where you can support an indie and the Literary Salon with every purchase. Podcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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