Riding for a fall - a portrait of male drive

What happens when a man can't stop his drive and desire for more? Author Andrew O'Hagan dissects the pitfalls of more money, more success and more applause in his latest novel

Andrew O’Hagan is the author of several highly acclaimed novels.

His new book is a sweeping portrait of modern-day London, a city ‘levitating on a sea of dirty Russian money’. 

The main character, Campbell Flynn, is much like Andrew himself: a public intellectual who escaped from the Scottish council estate he grew up in and came to London to enjoy great success.

But success, a big house, a loving family and expensive habits are not enough.

Campbell is a man riding for a fall, and there will be many spectators at the final hurrah, when his life comes tumbling down. 

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Further information

This episode of Conversations was recorded at the Melbourne Writers Festival.

Caledonian Road is published by Allen & Unwin.