The castaway this week is the Irish writer Edna O'Brien, whose first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 to great acclaim. She's also become well-known for her appearances on radio and television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her career and, in her choice of music, reveals a wide taste ranging from Elvis Presley to Carl Orff.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Canon In D by Johann Pachelbel
Book: Complete Encyclopaedia Britannica
Luxury: Cristal champagne Show less