Tom Crewe, Patricia Lockwood, Deborah Friedell, John Lanchester, and Rosemary Hill discuss their favorite pieces from the LRB archive, including Terry Castle's analysis of Jane Austen's letters and Alan Bennett's nuanced portrayal of Philip Larkin. Topics covered include controversial literature, bestiality in poetry, and mistaken identity at a party.

Rosemary Hill, a contributing editor at the London Review of Books and author known for her works on Pugin and Stonehenge, reminisces about the rise and fall of department stores. She highlights their past as vital spaces for women seeking autonomy and community. Hill shares her personal experiences, including a memorable holiday season at Selfridge's. The conversation touches on the architectural grandeur of these stores, their decline in the face of modern retail, and the cultural void left by their closures in urban settings.

Rosemary Hill, an architecture reviewer, discusses collaborative architecture from 1530-1830, highlighting architecture as a social endeavor with big egos and unexpected outcomes. She explores the evolution of Gothic architecture, Tudor influence, and the impact of political and religious upheavals on architectural development.