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Bookclub

Latest episodes

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Mar 3, 2024 • 28min

Ann Cleeves: Hidden Depths

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 Chambers on Small Pleasures 24 April - Nicholas Shakespeare on 6 Minutes In May Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part. Over 18s only.
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Feb 4, 2024 • 28min

Graeme Macrae Burnet: His Bloody Project

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: Tuesday 26 March 1830 - Clare Chambers discusses her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures.Wednesday 24 April 1830- Nicholas Shakespeare discusses Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister
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Jan 7, 2024 • 28min

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, with Elly Griffiths

Marking 200 years since the birth of Wilkie Collins, crime writer, and Collins admirer, Elly Griffiths discusses one of his best known works -The Moonstone - with James Naughtie and a group of readers.Upcoming recording Wednesday 24th January at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Graeme Macrae Burnet on His Bloody Project.
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Dec 3, 2023 • 28min

Donal Ryan: The Spinning Heart

Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart, discusses themes of loss, shame, love, and longing in a small Irish town. The podcast explores the collapse of the Celtic Tiger years, the influence of radio shows on the novel, and the importance of diverse voices in literature. They also analyze complex characters, broken relationships, and the author's writing process.
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Nov 5, 2023 • 28min

Katherine Heiny: Standard Deviation

Katherine Heiny answers readers questions about Standard Deviation, her hilarious novel about marriage, parenting and the road not travelled. Audra is married to Graham, who is divorced from Elspeth. While Audra is sociable, loving, outspoken, tactless, kind and funny, Elspeth is contained, reserved, controlled and reticent. Despite loving Audra, Graham begins to wonder if his life should have taken a different path. Katherine Heiny reveals the real-life moments that inspired the book, her love of the funny side of life and why she can never pass up on writing a good joke. Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House, London Wednesday 15 November at 1300 - Donal Ryan on The Spinning HeartWednesday 13 December at 1830 - Elly Griffiths is our guide to The Moonstone by Wilkie CollinsEmail bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part.
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Oct 1, 2023 • 28min

Bernardine Evaristo: Mr Loverman

Bernardine Evaristo joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss Mr Loverman, her 2013 novel about Barrington Walker, a married man with a secret life. Ever since his teens in Antigua, Barry has been in love with Morris and despite both men moving to London, marrying and having children, their love affair has never faltered. Now he’s in his seventies, Barry decides it’s time to tell the truth. It’s a funny, poetic, moving novel about love, family, prejudice and forgiveness.Upcoming recordings, all at BBC Broadcasting House in London: Thursday 12 October at midday - Katherine Heiny on Standard DeviationWednesday 15 November at 1300 - Donal Ryan on The Spinning Heart Wednesday 13 December at 1830 - Crime Writer Elly Griffiths is our guide to The Moonstone by Wilkie CollinsEmail bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part.
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Sep 3, 2023 • 27min

Denise Mina: The Long Drop

James Naughtie is joined by Denise Mina to talk about her book The Long Drop. This intriguing true-crime story is set in 1950s Glasgow when notorious serial killer Peter Manuel spread fear throughout the city. The Long Drop alternates between Manuel's trial and a extraordinary night he spent with Glaswegian businessman William Watt, whose own family Peter Manuel was suspected of killing. Despite this, the two men form an unlikely alliance and tour the bars and dives of Glasgow together. Recorded at The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh.Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London: 21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr Loverman12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation. Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part
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Aug 6, 2023 • 28min

Mick Herron: Slow Horses

Mick Herron answers readers' questions about his novel, Slow Horses, the first in his hugely popular Slough House series. In it we meet the 'Slow Horses’ for the first time; failed spies who instead of being pensioned off, find themselves working in Slough House, near the Barbican in London. Here, they carry out menial administrative tasks of little or no importance, led by their offensive, vulgar boss Jackson Lamb. In this novel, the Slow Horses find themselves unexpectedly at the centre of the action. Our next recordings: Thursday 17th August: Denise Mina on her novel The Long Drop. 7pm at The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello, Edinburgh. (Free tickets are available via the Bookshop's website)At BBC Broadcasting House, London: Thursday 21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr LovermanThursday 12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation. Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part
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Jul 2, 2023 • 28min

Julian Barnes: Arthur and George

To mark our 25th anniversary, Julian Barnes returns to Bookclub. He’s answering readers' questions about his Booker-shortlisted novel Arthur and George. It's based on real events and tells the story of Arthur Conan Doyle’s campaign to overturn the conviction of a young solicitor, George Edalji,Upcoming recording:Thursday 13 July 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horses.Thursday 17 August 1900 at The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh - Jenni Fagan on Luckenbooth
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Jun 4, 2023 • 28min

Mary Lawson: Crow Lake

Mary Lawson joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer questions about her novel, Crow Lake. An international bestseller, it tells the story of four siblings, orphaned by a road accident who have to find a new way to live as a family. The story is narrated by Kate, looking back at that dramatic rupture in her childhood. As she tells her story, Kate comes to understand not only how it affected her, but also her siblings - big brothers Luke and Matt, and baby sister Bo. Meanwhile, on a neighbouring farm, the Pye family faced their own crisis....Upcoming recordings 13 June 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Julian Barnes on Arthur and George13 July 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horsesemail bookclub@bbc.co.uk

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