In conversation: Howard Jacobson

What's it like to fall in love in your 90s? The award-winning author talks about the nonagenarian lovers in his latest novel

From his loft high over Soho, Man Booker Prize-winning author Howard Jacobson speaks to JR's Arts Editor Judi Herman about his latest novel, Live A Little, which chronicles the joys – and humiliations – of romance in old age. He also reads an extract from the book, as well as discussing his despair at the cynical antics of our prime minister. And don't even mention "the will of the people"…

Photo by Rob Greig

Live a Little by Howard Jacobson is out now, published by Jonathan Cape, £19.99. www.penguin.co.uk

An abridged version of this interview also features in the Oct 2019 issue of JR.

In conversation: Dora Reisser

Bulgarian-born Dora Reisser tells her life story, from child refugee to prima ballerina and beyond

It’s Dora Reisser’s ability to reinvent herself – from child refugee to prima ballerina, actor, screen star and fashion designer – and in such nail-biting circumstances, that makes her memoir, Dora’s Story, so gripping. Judi Herman visited Reisser at her remarkable London home (it used to be a railway station) to hear more of the stories behind her book, which begins with the little-known history of how Bulgaria’s Jews survived the Holocaust; and about her life in the UK and Israel, including an eye-opening account of how she started her Reisser fashion house – just one of the many new stories Reisser has that could fill a sequel.

Dora’s Story by Dora Reisser is out on Troubador. £9.99. www.troubador.co.uk