The Book Show Ben Elton and the case for popular fiction
Nov 16, 2025
In this lively discussion, Ben Elton, a British comic and novelist, shares insights on the hurdles of writing popular fiction and the joy of reflecting on his career in his new autobiography. Sofie Laguna, an acclaimed Australian author, delves into her novel The Underworld, exploring adolescence intertwined with Roman mythology. Colm Tóibín, an Irish literary critic, offers fascinating reading rules for Jane Austen's works and reveals how understanding her characters' backgrounds enriches our reading experience.
54:37
Early Theatre Epiphany
- Ben Elton caught the theatre bug at age 10 after playing a Lost Boy in Peter Pan and immediately wanted a life in entertainment.
- By 21 he was a professional writer, having written plays and sketches through his teens and university.
How The Young Ones Began
- Rick Mayall brought Ben Elton into TV after seeing his plays at Manchester and conceived The Young Ones idea.
- Elton wrote the first episode overnight and the show became a rapid early success.
Plotting Versus Improvisation
- Richard Curtis taught Elton the value of plotting and focusing on one project at a time.
- Elton admits he's improvisatory and often juggles multiple projects, which contrasts with Curtis's focused method.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right 17 chevron_right 18 chevron_right 19 chevron_right 20 chevron_right 21 chevron_right 22 chevron_right 23 chevron_right 24 chevron_right 25 chevron_right 26 chevron_right 27 chevron_right 28 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Ben Elton's Early Love of Theatre and Comedy
01:56 • 3min
Becoming a Professional Writer at a Young Age
04:42 • 5min
Learning Plotting and Focus from Richard Curtis
09:42 • 3min
Handling Criticism, Ego and the Creative Process
12:20 • 2min
Transition to Novels and the Success of Stark
14:18 • 2min
Writing About Personal Experience: Inconceivable and IVF
16:27 • 4min
Artistic Snobbery and the 'Literary' Label
20:32 • 3min
Reflecting on a Career in an Autobiography
23:08 • 58sec
Future Projects and Current Place in Publishing
24:06 • 3min
Sofie Laguna: Introducing The Underworld
26:38 • 42sec
Where The Underworld Began for Sofie Laguna
27:20 • 2min
Defining Martha: Adolescence and Voice
29:07 • 2min
Martha's Relationship with Her Mother and Family Dynamics
31:08 • 1min
Martha's Obsession with Roman Myths and the Underworld
32:30 • 3min
Martha's Sexuality and the Challenges of 1970s Australia
35:00 • 1min
Why Sofie Persisted with Martha's Story
36:23 • 47sec
The Underworld: Character-Driven Coming-of-Age Narrative
37:10 • 27sec
Dear Jane Series: Celebrating Jane Austen
37:37 • 3min
Colm Tóibín on Teaching Austen and Her Enduring Perfection
40:16 • 47sec
How to Read Austen: Navy, Army and Inherited Wealth
41:04 • 2min
Pride and Prejudice's Opening: Character and Plot by Dialogue
42:52 • 2min
Minor Characters as Essential Plot Devices in Austen
44:23 • 3min
The Importance of Post-Event Reflection in Austen's Plotting
47:16 • 3min
Austen's Social Change: Value, Good Sense and Self-Invention
50:25 • 53sec
Colm Tóibín on Borrowing from Austen in Brooklyn
51:18 • 2min
Encouraging Modern Writers to Learn Narrative Solutions from Austen
53:24 • 45sec
Outro
54:09 • 28sec
#
The Eye of the Sheep
2015
Sofie (Sophie) Laguna
#59367
Inconceivable
Carolyn Savage
Sean Savage
In 'Inconceivable', Carolyn and Sean Savage recount their harrowing experience when a medical mistake during an IVF procedure resulted in Carolyn becoming pregnant with another couple's embryo.
The book explores their emotional journey, legal challenges, and the difficult decision to deliver the baby and relinquish it to its genetic parents.
It is a powerful story of love, faith, and the complexities of modern medicine.
#72
• Mentioned in 168 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
#7028
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Brooklyn
A Novel
Colm Tóibín
The novel tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman from small-town Ireland who, in the hard years following World War II, leaves her fragile mother and charismatic sister behind to start a new life in Brooklyn.
Sponsored by an Irish priest, Eilis finds work in a department store and begins evening classes in bookkeeping.
She faces homesickness and culture shock but eventually finds love with Tony, an Italian-American.
However, devastating news from Ireland forces her to make a critical decision between her old and new lives.
The book is a quiet tour de force, exploring themes of self-determination, love, and the complexities of immigrant life.
#6579
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Long Island
Colm Tóibín
In 'Long Island', Colm Tóibín continues the story of Eilis Lacey, a character from his earlier novel 'Brooklyn'.
Eilis, now in her forties and living on Long Island with her husband Tony and their two teenage children, faces a crisis when she learns that Tony has fathered a child with another woman.
This revelation prompts Eilis to return to her hometown in Ireland, where she reconnects with old friends and acquaintances, including Jim Farrell, the man she once loved.
The novel delves into themes of unfulfilled desires, the search for identity, and the complex nature of home, as Eilis grapples with her feelings for Tony, her responsibilities to her children, and the future she desires for herself.
The story is marked by its exploration of human emotions, the weight of secrets, and the intricate web of relationships that define Eilis's life.
#1117
• Mentioned in 27 episodes
Persuasion
Jane Austen
Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel.
The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections.
Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage.
The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.
#1833
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Mansfield Park
Jane Austen
monica arcija
The novel follows Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park.
Fanny navigates the complexities of her new environment, dealing with the mistreatment by some family members and the kindness of her cousin Edmund.
The story unfolds with the arrival of the charming but morally dubious Crawfords, leading to a series of scandals and moral dilemmas.
Ultimately, Fanny's integrity and compassion guide her through the challenges, and she finds love and a sense of belonging with Edmund.
#25460
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
This Other Eden
Paul Harding
#16473
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Popcorn
Ben Elton
Ben Elton's 'Popcorn' is a satirical thriller that explores the relationship between Hollywood, violence, and popular culture.
The story unfolds when a pair of armed killers break into the home of Bruce Delamitri, an Oscar-winning director known for his violent films.
As the night progresses, the lines between reality and the movies become increasingly blurred, prompting questions about the impact of on-screen violence on society.
Elton uses dark humor and sharp social commentary to critique the entertainment industry's fascination with violence.
Through its suspenseful plot and thought-provoking themes, the novel challenges readers to confront their own complicity in the cycle of violence.
'Popcorn' serves as a disturbing mirror reflecting society's obsession with sensationalism and its potential consequences.
#54459
stark
Ben Elton
#8972
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
What Have You Done?
Shari Lapena
In 'What Have You Done?
', a tragic death in the seemingly idyllic town of Fairhill, Vermont, reveals a web of secrets and suspects.
The story follows the investigation into the murder of a high school student, Diana Brewer, and explores themes of control, abuse, and the dismissal of women's concerns.
The novel is told through multiple perspectives, including Diana's, offering a unique and thought-provoking narrative.
#3579
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Underworld
The Mysterious Origins of Civilization
Graham Hancock
In this book, Graham Hancock embarks on a worldwide exploration to find the underwater ruins of a mythical lost civilization hidden for thousands of years beneath the world’s oceans.
Guided by cutting-edge science, innovative computer-mapping techniques, and the latest archaeological scholarship, Hancock examines the mystery at the end of the last Ice Age and delivers astonishing revelations.
The book includes exhilarating accounts of his dives in various parts of the world, discovering submerged kingdoms that archaeologists never thought existed, and presents a new explanation for the origins of civilization as we know it.
British comic Ben Elton on the Aussie inspiration for writing fiction, and Miles Franklin winner Sofie Laguna on the collision of puberty and Roman mythology in her novel The Underworld. Plus the rules for reading Austen's Pride and Prejudice with Irish writer Colm Tóibín.
It seems Ben Elton can do anything. Since his first writing gig at 21 for the BBC sitcom The Young Ones, he's been a stand-up comedian, a TV presenter and a writer for Blackadder (and many other film and TV productions). He's also had a prolific career as a novelist with 16 titles to his name, including Stark. So how does he manage his ego, being edited and the constant tussle of new ideas inside his mind? He's just released his autobiography, What Have I Done? and Claire Nichols visited him before a gig at Perth's Regal Theatre to find out.
Australian author Sofie Laguna writes for adults and children and is a past winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award (The Eye of the Sheep 2015). Sofie has a special affinity with the inner lives of young people and her latest novel, The Underworld, opens in 1973, when the main protagonist, Martha is 14 years old and dealing with puberty. She's an awkward outsider but she's also clever and brave. Sofie tells Claire Nichols why she was so taken with this character.
In a Jane Austen novel, what does it mean if a character is in the Navy? Irish author of Brooklyn and Long Island, Colm Tóibín, has the answer and shares some "rules" for reading Austen's most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. This is the second episode in our Dear Jane series which is a celebration of Austen's enduring legacy 250 years after her birth.