Dr Paul Fearne - His new book 'Byron'

The episode begins with host Emma acknowledging the Wurundjeri community and introducing guest Dr. Paul Fearne, a writer, poet, and philosopher. Fearne has a PhD on schizophrenia from La Trobe University and previously authored 'Diary of a Schizophrenic'. He explains how he started writing by dusting off his diary after his PhD, facing initial rejection from a publisher who said they only publish famous authors. He then found Chipmunker Publishing in the UK, which accepted his manuscript, leading to a launch at the Melbourne Writers Festival. Fearne shares that his mental health is in remission, as confirmed by his psychiatrist. The conversation shifts to his new book 'Byron', focusing on Lord Byron's life. Fearne describes Byron's club foot disability and how he overcame stigma through swimming, including swimming the Hellespont. Byron's fame began with 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage', which sold 10,000 copies on its first day. Fearne details Byron's exile to Geneva and Venice, where he wrote about being 'mad, bad, and dangerous to know'. Byron later went to Greece to fight for independence from Turkey, where he died after getting a fever from being rained on. Fearne discusses his theory that suffering creates a heightened state of consciousness that can be sublimated into creativity, such as poetry. He links this to schizophrenia, explaining that 'looseness of association' in schizophrenia mirrors poetic creativity, citing poet Janet Frame as an example. Fearne also talks about his other books, including a two-volume poem inspired by cloud formations in the city. The episode concludes with Fearne encouraging listeners to find passion and channel suffering positively, and information on where to buy his book.

As heard by us

A lively conversational portrait of Byron's fame, exile, writing, and dangerous reputation.

Dr. Paul Fern's new book gives this Brainwaves conversation a brisk route into Byron's public reputation: a poet who became famous almost overnight, traveled in an extravagant coach, and kept writing through exile.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get Byron as poet, celebrity, exile, and Venice carnival presence in one warm Brainwaves conversation.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify