The Essay

Novelist Andrew Martin has long been interested in ghosts and their stories, and he gives them much thought over five essays.1. In his first essay, he asks if he actually believes in ghosts. Well, he certainly relishes the 'fear' and 'beauty' that comes from ghostly narratives. 'Have you ever seen a ghost?' is the first question he must address, and of course there is no clear cut answer to this...Producer Duncan Minshull.

"It sounds such a simple business.. 'I changed my mind.' Subject, verb, object - a clear, clean action..."In five essays, the acclaimed author asks whether his point of view has changed through the years. Referring to historical characters and scenes from his own life, he now thinks about the vagaries of time, beginning with a visit to the barbers on the eve of his 70th birthday.Producer Duncan Minshull.

"It sounds such a simple business.. 'I changed my mind.' Subject, verb, object - a clear, clean action..."In five essays, the acclaimed author asks whether his point of view has changed over the years. Referring to historical characters and scenes from his own life , he now explores his tastes in literature. He has remained firm in admiration of some authors, others have caused indecision and a change of heart even.Producer Duncan Minshull.

"It sounds such a simple business.. 'I changed my mind.' Subject, verb, object - a clear, clean action..."In five essays, the acclaimed author asks whether his point of view has changed over the years. Referring to historical characters and scenes from his own life, he first cites John Maynard Keynes and Francis Picabia. Then, what is the role of memory in all this?Producer Duncan Minshull.

"It sounds such a simple business.. 'I changed my mind.' Subject, verb, object - a clear, clean action..."In five essays, the acclaimed author asks whether his point of view has changed over the years. Referring to historical characters and scenes from his own life, he now thinks about a lifetime's use of words. He has his favourites, such as 'decimated' and 'indifference'. But have things stayed the same with words ?Producer Duncan Minshull.

As part of Radio 3's 70th celebrations, Julian Barnes - also 70 this year - on why and how he alters his views. Today a word about vacillation, uncertainty and of course - memory."It sounds such a simple business.. 'I changed my mind.' Subject, verb, object - a clear, clean action..."In five essays, the acclaimed author asks whether his point of view has changed over the years. Referring to historical characters and scenes from his own life, he first cites John Maynard Keynes and Francis Picabia. Then, what is the role of memory in all this?Producer Duncan Minshull.

'Dear Geoffrey Chaucer, Can I call you Geoff..?' In a series of imaginary correspondences, novelist Ian Sansom is writing letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogating them about their art.'Oh Agatha Christie, Please - do tell - what is the secret of your success?'As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised and jealousies revealed.'Dear Virginia Woolf, Please accept my apologies. For a long time I thought you represented everything that's wrong with literature...'How exactly does George Eliot do it? And why does she keep ignoring Ian's letters?'Dear George Eliot, You are simply so far out of my league as a correspondent that it is embarrassing even to put pen to paper and to address you directly.In his on-going epistolary quest, Ian attempts to find out everything you wanted to know about some of our best-loved writers but just were too afraid to ask.Producer: Conor Garrett.

'Dear Geoffrey Chaucer, Can I call you Geoff..?' In a series of imaginary correspondences, novelist Ian Sansom is writing letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogating them about their art.'Oh Agatha Christie, Please - do tell - what is the secret of your success?'As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised and jealousies revealed.'Dear Virginia Woolf, Please accept my apologies. For a long time I thought you represented everything that's wrong with literature...'How exactly does George Eliot do it? And why does she keep ignoring Ian's letters?'Dear George Eliot, You are simply so far out of my league as a correspondent that it is embarrassing even to put pen to paper and to address you directly.In his on-going epistolary quest, Ian attempts to find out everything you wanted to know about some of our best-loved writers but just were too afraid to ask.Producer: Conor Garrett.

'Dear Geoffrey Chaucer, Can I call you Geoff..?' In a series of imaginary correspondences, novelist Ian Sansom is writing letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogating them about their art.'Oh Agatha Christie, Please - do tell - what is the secret of your success?'As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised and jealousies revealed.'Dear Virginia Woolf, Please accept my apologies. For a long time I thought you represented everything that's wrong with literature...'How exactly does George Eliot do it? And why does she keep ignoring Ian's letters?'Dear George Eliot, You are simply so far out of my league as a correspondent that it is embarrassing even to put pen to paper and to address you directly.In his on-going epistolary quest, Ian attempts to find out everything you wanted to know about some of our best-loved writers but just were too afraid to ask.Producer: Conor Garrett.

'Dear Geoffrey Chaucer, Can I call you Geoff..?' In a series of imaginary correspondences, novelist Ian Sansom writes letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogates them about their art.'Oh Agatha Christie, Please - do tell - what is the secret of your success?'As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised, jealousies revealed, concerns aired. 'Dear Virginia Woolf, Please accept my apologies. For a long time I thought you represented everything that's wrong with literature...'How exactly does George Eliot do it? Why is it so difficult? And what's that Jonathan Swift just called him? Producer: Conor Garrett.