Javier Marias - The Infatuations

The eminent Spanish novelist Javier Marías joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to discuss his 2013 novel The Infatuations, about the human need to fill the unknown with stories.

Every morning before work, Maria loves to watch a couple having breakfast in a Madrid café. She wonders about their lives, who they are and what they do. Later, when she finds out the man is murdered, she becomes friends with the widow and is drawn into the mystery.

Javier Marías explains the balance between writing a thrilling murder mystery and exploring philosophical ideas in the book, and likens it to watching a film - something bad must happen to the characters, otherwise there would be no film. He also describes his writing process - once the book is written he accepts it as it is, and never does a second version.

June's Bookclub choice : V by Tony Harrison (1985)

Interviewed guest : Javier Marías
Presenter : James Naughtie
Producer : Dymphna Flynn.