Best Of: Harrison Ford / Novelist Francis Spufford - Fresh Air Recap

Podcast: Fresh Air

Published: 2026-03-21

Guests: Harrison Ford, Francis Spufford

What Happened

Harrison Ford, in his 80s, continues to defy age conventions by starring in multiple projects, including the series 'Shrinking', where he plays a therapist named Paul grappling with Parkinson's disease and contemplating retirement. In this series, Michael J. Fox also makes an appearance as a character with advanced Parkinson's. Despite the challenges, Ford finds satisfaction in acting and prefers doing his own stunts, which has led to numerous injuries over his career.

Ford reminisces about his breakthrough in 'Star Wars', discovered while working as a carpenter for Francis Ford Coppola. Known for his improvisation, Ford famously altered the script with the line 'I know' in response to 'I love you' in 'Star Wars'. Despite his fame, Ford has no plans to write a memoir, valuing his privacy over public attention.

Francis Spufford's new novel 'None Such' is set in WWII London, involving time-traveling fascists aiming to assassinate Winston Churchill. This novel is inspired by C.S. Lewis's 'Narnia' series, critiquing the portrayal of Susan, who is excluded from the happy ending for embracing femininity. The protagonist, Iris Hawkins, challenges societal norms as a working woman in a male-dominated era.

Spufford reflects on his grandmother Nancy's influence on his writing, describing her as 'not entirely a good girl' due to her adventurous love life. This familial connection is mirrored in Iris's character, who enjoys casual relationships while navigating societal constraints. Spufford's storytelling often intertwines personal history and societal critique.

Spufford's childhood experience with books as an escape is detailed in his memoir 'The Child That Books Built'. Growing up with a sister suffering from cystinosis, Spufford found solace in reading, which shaped his narrative voice. This emotional backdrop is further explored in his novel 'Light Perpetual', imagining lives of children lost in the Blitz.

The historical context of British fascism during WWII is explored through Spufford's narrative, highlighting the upper-class preference for order amidst the Great Depression. This backdrop provides a nuanced view of the social and political dynamics of the era, enriching the storyline of 'None Such'.

Key Insights

• Harrison Ford, at over 80 years old, maintains an active acting career, starring in projects like 'Shrinking' and 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'. His commitment to performing his own stunts has resulted in multiple injuries but ensures character continuity.
• Ford's career was launched unexpectedly while he was working as a carpenter for Francis Ford Coppola, leading to his iconic role in 'Star Wars'. His improvisation skills contributed to memorable moments, such as the 'I know' line.
• Francis Spufford's novel 'None Such' critiques C.S. Lewis's portrayal of femininity in the 'Narnia' books by featuring a protagonist who embraces traits critiqued in Lewis's Susan. The novel includes time-traveling fascists aiming to alter WWII history.
• Spufford's writing is deeply influenced by personal history, including his grandmother's adventurous past and his sister's early death, reflecting themes of loss and alternate life possibilities in his works like 'Light Perpetual'.