Esther Freud: What most recently made you cry?

What most recently made you cry?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Esther Freud said elsewhere, not written here

Talking about the hardships of my mother’s life – she would not approve.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Stephen K Amos

I last shed a tear when my nephew, who is under 10, announced that he was learning the trombone. When I was about the same age and wanted to learn the trumpet, a music teacher said: “The trumpet isn’t for you. You’ve got too-thick lips.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 September 2025 source ↗

Marina Diamandis

Three days ago. I don’t even know why. Sometimes I just feel emotional about how vulnerable humans are.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 June 2025 source ↗

John Grisham American writer and lawyer

When my mom died, on 18 January this year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 December 2015 source ↗

Nadiya Hussain British television chef, baker and author

Last week, when I dropped a mug on my foot.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 September 2016 source ↗

More from Esther Freud

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Question What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Daily life

For the words to fly from my fingers as just occasionally they do.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question Which moment embarrassed you most? Failure & regret

I bumped into an old schoolteacher and her even more ancient and deaf sister, and she shouted to her, “Remember Esther? Now she writes books … ABOUT HERSELF.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗