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Bookclub

Latest episodes

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Jan 5, 2025 • 28min

Richard Osman

Presented by James Naughtie, BBC Bookclub speaks to the writer Richard Osman about his crime-fiction novel The Thursday Murder Club, which sold millions of copies, and has been made into a film.
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Dec 2, 2024 • 30min

Alan Warner: Morvern Callar

Award-winning writer Alan Warner takes questions from Radio 4's Bookclub audience about his first-person, pacey novel, Morvern Callar, which was written in 1995 when Warner was in his late twenties. Morvern is a twenty-one year old foster-child whose life takes an irreversible turn when she discovers her boyfriend's dead body. The book was later turned into a critically-acclaimed film, of the same name, in 2002.
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Nov 3, 2024 • 29min

Carys Davies: The Mission House

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.
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Oct 6, 2024 • 28min

Susanna Clarke: Piranesi

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.
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Sep 1, 2024 • 28min

Ken Follett: A Column of Fire

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.
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Aug 4, 2024 • 28min

Ayobami Adebayo

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 the profound emotional burden of desperately wanting to become a parent. Ayobami answers readers questions about the inspiration behind Stay With Me and how she inhabited the minds of her characters. Presenter: James Naughtie Producer : Nicola HollowayNext Bookclub recordings - both at 1830 in Broadcasting House, London 14 August - Ken Follett on A Column of Fire 25 September - Susanna Clarke on Piranesi
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Jul 7, 2024 • 28min

Marlon James: A Brief History of Seven Killings

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 events, including a planned assassination attempt on Bob Marley. Marlon James talks to readers about writing multiple characters, his approach to describing violence and how he sees the book now, ten years after publication. Forthcoming recordings at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House in London 10 July - Ayobami Adebayo on Stay With Me 14 August - Ken Follett on A Column of Fire 25 September - Susanna Clarke on Piranesi
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Jun 2, 2024 • 28min

Lucy Caldwell: These Days

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.
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May 5, 2024 • 28min

Nicholas Shakespeare: Six Minutes in May

Nicholas Shakespeare discusses his book 'Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister' on a podcast. Topics include the Norway Debate, Chamberlain's resignation, and Churchill's rise to power. The podcast explores historical events through oral witnesses and diaries, secrets of Churchill's ascent, Chamberlain's bird collection, emotional narratives in biographies, and family intrigues.
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Apr 7, 2024 • 28min

Clare Chambers: Small Pleasures

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 Margaret and is drawn into their family life. Her investigations soon expand both her world, and her heart. Upcoming recordings, at BBC Broadcasting House in London: Wednesday 24 April at 1800 - Nicholas Shakespeare on Six Minutes In MayWednesday 15 May at 1300 - Lucy Caldwell on These Days. Thursday 6 June at 1245 - Marlon James on A Brief History of Seven Killings Wednesday 10 July at 1830 - Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ on Stay With Me Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part. Over 18s only.

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