This week, Kevin Brazil on the revealing tour d'horizontal of a great writer; and Keith Miller goes down a rabbit-hole in search of Richard Ayoade.'The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir', by Edmund White'The Unfinished Harauld Hughes', 'Plays, Prose, Pieces, Poetry', 'The Models Trilogy', 'Four Films', by Harauld Hughes/Richard AyoadeProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Toby Lichtig assesses the latest recreation of Bob Dylan, man and myth; and David Gallagher on an academic and spy who inspired the work of Javier Marias.'A Complete Unknown', a film by James Mangold'Scholar-Spy: The Worlds of Professor Sir Peter Russell', by Bruce TaylorProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Boris Dralyuk on a compelling portrait of the Black Sea port of Odesa, past and present; and Russell Williams is put in mind of the rumpled TV detective Columbo by a pacy French novel.'Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War', by Julian Evans'Bristol', by Jean EchenozProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Vanessa Curtis is entranced by the candour of the Bloomsbury set's photograph albums; and Emma Greensmith on the mythical creatures that fascinated the ancient world.'The Bloomsbury Photographs", by Maggie Humm'Centaurs and Snake-Kings: Hybrids and the Greek Imagination', by Jeremy McInerneyProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, JS Barnes trembles in his boots before the latest incarnation of a classic vampire tale; and Mary C Flannery on the practical magic of the medieval kitchen.'Nosferatu', various cinemas'Recipes and Book Culture in England, 1350-1600', Carrie Griffin and Hannah Ryley, editorsProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Alex Clark and Lucy Dallas look forward to 2025's most tempting reading, plan a Jane Austen road trip and resolve to sit up straight.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Simone Gubler ponders the contents of a dog's mind; and Tristram Fane Saunders praises the poet Wendy Cope's strengths and subtleties.'The Happiness of Dogs: Why the Unexamined Life is Most Worth Living', by Mark Rowlands'Collared: How We Made the Modern Dog', by Chris Pearson'Collected Poems', by Wendy Cope Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Catriona Seth goes in search of the mysterious last queen of France; and Maria Margaronis is entranced by the stage adaptation of a children's classic.'Marie-Antoinette', by Charles-Éloi Vial'Ballet Shoes', adapted by Kendall Feaver from Noel Streatfeild's novel, National Theatre, London, until February 22 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, novelist and playwright Caryl Phillips remembers his friendship with the magnificent James Baldwin; and Robert Potts on the ingenious return of George Smiley.The works of James Baldwin'Karla's Choice', a John le Carré novel, by Nick HarkawayProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mary Beard squares up to the gorefest of Gladiator II; and Alan Hollinghurst in conversation at the Cambridge Literary Festival.'Gladiator II', various cinemas'Our Evenings', by Alan HollinghurstProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.