Bookclub

Nov 03 2024 330 ep. 28 mins 48.1k
Bookclub Podcast artwork

Led by James Naughtie, a group of readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

  Society & Culture
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Carys Davies: The Mission House

Nov 03 2024 28 mins  
The writer Carys Davies talks to readers about her beautifully-crafted novel, The Mission House, which follows the character of Hilary Byrd, a British librarian in his fifties, who is seeking to find himself again in modern-day southern India.

Susanna Clarke: Piranesi

Oct 06 2024 27 mins  
Susanna Clarke won the Women's Prize for Fiction with her novel Piranesi. She joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer their questions about this intriguing, tantalising novel.

Ken Follett: A Column of Fire

Sep 01 2024 27 mins  
Bestselling novelist Ken Follett joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss his historical novel A Column of Fire, the third in his hugely successful Kingsbridge series. It’s a tale of spying and intrigue, as Elizabeth I battles to keep her throne in the face of fierce religious division across Europe.

Ayobami Adebayo

Aug 04 2024 27 mins  
Ayobami Adebayo talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel, Stay With Me, a moving story of loss and motherhood. Set against the backdrop of tumultuous political events in Nigeria, it tells the story of Yejide and Akin, whose marriage is childless. The novel, which is narrated by them both, explores the pressure to have a child, the toll it takes on their relationship and

Marlon James: A Brief History of Seven Killings

Jul 07 2024 27 mins  
Marlon James answers readers' questions about his award-winning novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings. The novel, which is narrated by multiple characters, opens in Jamaica in the run-up to the 1976 election. Kingston is riven by violence as competing gangs, some supported by the US government, compete for territory and control of the drugs trade. The novel is based on real even

Lucy Caldwell: These Days

Jun 02 2024 27 mins  
Celebrated novelist and short story writer Lucy Caldwell joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss These Days. Set in 1941, it focusses on the lives of two sisters living through the Belfast Blitz.Lucy talks about the inspiration for her novel, her research and writing it during the pandemic.

Nicholas Shakespeare: Six Minutes in May

May 05 2024 27 mins  
James Naughtie and readers quiz Nicholas Shakespeare about his book, Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister. It chronicles the dramatic political and military events of 1940 which led to the momentous Norway Debate and Chamberlain’s resignation. Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London: Wednesday 15 May at 1300: Lucy Caldwell on These

Clare Chambers: Small Pleasures

Apr 07 2024 27 mins  
Clare Chambers talks to James Naughtie and readers about her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures. Set in the London suburbs in the 1950s, it tells the story of Jean Swinney, a journalist who is asked to investigate a letter sent to her paper, from a mother claiming her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean meets the mother, Gretchen; her husband, Howard and daughter Margare

Ann Cleeves: Hidden Depths

Mar 03 2024 27 mins  
Bookclub travels to Northumberland to meet best-selling crime writer Ann Cleeves. She joins James Naughtie and listeners to discuss her novel, Hidden Depths: Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets out to solve two murders which are apparently linked, although there are no clues to connect the victims.Upcoming recordings - 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London : 26 March - Clare Cha

Graeme Macrae Burnet: His Bloody Project

Feb 04 2024 27 mins  
Graeme Macrae Burnet joins James Naughtie and readers to reveal the secrets behind his award-winning historical novel, His Bloody Project. Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1869, His Bloody Project explores crime, justice and retribution through the confessions of a young man accused of murder, and an account of his trial.Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London: Tues