Inklings Book Club

Mary Shelley published Frankenstein anonymously in 1818. She was later credited for her work, but the book's origin story is just as interesting as the novel itself. In the "year without a summer" of 1816, Mary joined her husband Percy and Lord Byron for a weekend away, where the scared each other with ghost tales. They came up with a challenge to see who could write the creepiest story of their own, and Frankenstein was born. I sat down with Rachael Marsay, the Roy Davids Archivist of Modern Literary Archives and Manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries, to discuss the creation of this gothic classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew O'Hagan is the author of seven novels, as well as being a brilliant journalist. We sat down to discuss his epic novel Caledonian Road, a state-of-the-nation novel about one man’s tragic fall from grace. He’s socially and politically liberal, and feels he’s done everything as best he can, but his life begins to unspool. With a mammoth cast of SIXTY ONE characters, Andrew embarked on a massive research project to meet people fr I’ve followed Andrew O’Hagan’s career for many many years so I was thrilled to be able to sit down with him for this conversation at the Gothenburg Book Fair. I hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While I was at Gothenburg Book Fair in Sweden I managed to track down the inimitable Juhea KIm to have a backstage chat all about her rapturous and ravishing prose.  Straight out the gate, Juhea Kim’s debut novel Beasts of A Little Land became a prize-winning international bestseller. It’s a historical epic set in early 20th century Korea which was occupied by Japan. We follow Jade and JungHo, two orphaned children, as their lives intertwine over five decades of war, occupation, revolution, and Korean history. The two have a life-changing friendship which results in Jade having to make a decision between following her own ambitions and risking everything for the one she loves. The Times Literary Supplement weren’t kidding when they called it “a stunning achievement.” Now, Juhea has written a short story collection, featuring ten ecological tales inspired by colours. It’s titled A Love Story From the End of the World, and tells tales of nature, animals, technology, and the climate crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Coin marks the arrival of a striking new voice to the literary landscape. Yasmin Zaher’s irreverent debut is as shocking as it is stunning, as bonkers as it is beautiful. The Dylan Thomas Prize winning novel is full of big ideas, but without ever moralising, as our unnamed narrator navigates the squalor of New York City, after leaving Palestine. Grimy city streets provide a backdrop for an evisceration of modern culture, from politicians and the media to religion and war. Our jeering narrator gets involved in a scheme buying and selling Bikrin Bags. It’s tongue-in-cheek, outrageous, and rude, but so much fun to read. She is unruly and unfiltered, resisting adherence to hegemony, and a total riot. Join the book club on Fable: https://fable.sng.link/Ali7l/5kmb/rnxe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oisín McKenna, an Irish author celebrated for his debut novel, Evenings and Weekends, shares insights into crafting a vivid love story set amidst London's sweltering heatwave. He discusses the unique challenges of developing a diverse cast of characters and the emotional complexities of relationships. The conversation touches on themes of identity, the impact of class on individual lives, and the art of pacing in storytelling. Plus, the fascinating inclusion of a whale stuck in the Thames adds a humorous twist to the narrative!

Fíona Scarlett’s debut novel Boys Don’t Cry was an international bestseller, and she was shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. Her new novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue is a dual timeline story about young love, friendship, and the things that happen to us that we cannot control. This episode was recorded at the Gothenburg Book Fair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can't believe I'm saying this, but today we are joined by two legends: Cillian Murphy and Max Porter. Cillian and Max have collaborated as co-curators of the Sounds From A Safe Harbour Festival in Cork, Ireland, as well as the theatre adaptation of Max’s book Grief Is The Thing With Feathers. The book is a hybrid of prose and poetry about a crow visiting a grieving family. Now, they’re working together on the adaptation of Max's novella Shy, now a Netflix movie called Steve. The original book is a lyrical novella about a boarding school for troubled boys, documenting the chaos of one boy’s mind, whose name is Shy. Steve is actually very different from the novel, instead named after the head teacher at the school. In the film, he’s played expertly by Cillian Murphy. Cillian is an Irish actor, winner of a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and of course an Oscar. I sat down with the two of them to discuss this experimental and exciting project, and their love for books in general. Thank you to Netflix for making this happen!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded at Gothenburg Book Fair, I interviewed Swedish ICON Fredrik Backman about his newest book, My Friends -- a book that almost never was. Fredrik Backman is the author of EIGHT bestselling novels, including the Beartown trilogy, Anxious People, and A Man Called Ove. Thumbnail photography image credit: Natalie Greppi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights became the fourth biggest selling translated book in the UK last year, so I wanted to speak to someone very familiar with the text. Bridgerton's Luke Thompson happens to be a Dostoevsky superfan just like me, and narrated the new audiobook version, so is well acquainted with the story. We sat down at Penguin's offices in London to chat about the book and Luke's taste as a reader. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coco Mellors is the author of two novels, and her love of her craft is just infectious. Her debut, Cleopatra and Frankenstein exploded onto the literary scene in 2022, documenting one couple’s impulsive marriage in New York City and the ripple effect it has on their close circle of friends. Everyone is reading and loving this book, even Carrie Bradshaw who is spotted reading it one scene in And Just Like That. Truly, the highest literary honour. Coco’s second novel, Blue Sisters, was published in 2024. It’s about three sisters who reconnect in their childhood home after their fourth sister has sadly passed away. It takes place across London, New York, Paris, and LA, and tackles themes of grief, sisterhood, and addiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices