Across half a dozen novels, Andrew O’Hagan has made a name for himself as an author of delicacy and grace, painting the community he comes from, in Scotland’s west, with tenderness and wry, affectionate humour. His latest, Caledonian Road, follows art historian Campbell Flynn. A man who is at a turning point and is about to come up against his own downfall. This week, Michael sits down with Andrew for a conversation about the Dickensian world he has created in his new novel and why he considers it his most optimistic book yet. Reading list: Our Fathers, Andrew O’Hagan, 1999 Be Near Me, Andrew O’Hagan, 2006 Mayflies, Andrew O’Hagan, 2020 Caledonian Road, Andrew O’Hagan, 2024 Lives of Girls and Women, Alice Munro, 1971  Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage, Alice Munro, 2001 Dear Life, Alice Munro, 2012 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.  Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram and Twitter Guest: Andrew O’Hagan