Armistead Maupin

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the author Armistead Maupin. Regarded as one of the 'great social satirists of his era', he made his name with his Tales of the City novels, chronicling the shifting cultural landscape of San Francisco throughout the 1970s and 80s. He's written about the search for love and acceptance by a diverse cast of characters, but he was also one of the first novelists to portray the devastating impact of the newly emerging threat of HIV/Aids.

His iconic status as a gay writer and political activist couldn't be further from his background, growing up in the genteel American South, with a 'neo-fascist, arch-conservative' father. Armistead tells Kirsty about his transition to the other end of the political spectrum, and how his life has become inseparable from his work.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Choices

1.

Patti Page

Mockin’ Bird Hill

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2.

Audrey Hepburn

Moon River

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3.

Eagles

Desperado

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4.

Liza Minnelli

Maybe This Time

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5.

Julie Andrews and Tony Roberts

You and Me (from Victor/Victoria)

6.

k.d. lang

Hallelujah

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7.

John Mayer

The Heart of Life

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8.

Castaway's favourite

Tommy Gnosis

The reprise of Wicked Little Town

Book

The Cole Porter Songbook by Cole Porter

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Luxury item

Vaporiser

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