{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66d0a96bf16c66f62d16e79b/6964feaa79fe7d5545255d85?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Episode 17: Ben Pester","description":"<p>This month on The Allender Calendar, I'm chatting to the author Ben Pester about his debut novel The Expansion Project. Part corporate satire, part Lynchian dreamscape, The Expansion Project explores loss, parenthood, grief, and the ways in which identity and meaning are being distorted as technology takes over our lives. It's also very funny!</p><p><br></p><p>We talked about balancing creativity with a day job, finding joy and humour in office work, and some key influences (including Gormenghast and The Unconsoled).</p><p><br></p><p>You can buy The Expansion Project here:</p><p><br></p><p>https://granta.com/products/the-expansion-project/</p><p><br></p><p>And Ben's fantastic collection of short stories Am I in the Right Place? is available here:</p><p><br></p><p>https://www.boilerhouse.press/product-page/am-i-in-the-right-place-by-ben-pester</p><p><br></p><p>If you want to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here:</p><p><br></p><p>https://buymeacoffee.com/robinallender</p><p><br></p><p>Interview in The London Magazine:</p><p><br></p><p>https://thelondonmagazine.org/interview-the-expansion-project-an-interview-with-ben-pester/</p>","author_name":"Robin Allender"}