The TLS Podcast

This week, publisher Alessandro Gallenzi reveals how he turned literary detective and uncovered Dylan Thomas's youthful plagiarism; and Norma Clarke on the stunning work of two 18th-century women portrait artists.'Mrs Kauffman and Madame Le Brun: The entwined lives of two great eighteenth-century women artists' by Franny Moyle Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we introduce a very festive issue; and Toby Lichtig on the puppeteers pulling the strings of this season's big productions.'The Pelican Child', by Joy Williams'The BFG', by Roald Dahl, adapted by Tom Wells RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon'Pinocchio', by Carlo Collodi, adapted by Charlie Josephine, Globe TheatreProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lily Herd heads for outer space in the company of a prodigious imagination; and Andrew Motion joins us with a wonderful new poem.'Collected Stories' by Cixin Liu, translated by John Chu, Andy Dudak et al'All that We See or Seem', by Ken Liu'Snow', by Andrew Motion Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Devoney Looser on what we don't know about Jane Austen; and Peter Swaab introduces a previously unpublished story by the great Sylvia Townsend Warner. 'Jane Austen in 41 Objects', by Kathryn Sutherland'Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: The women writers who shaped a legend', by Rebecca RomneyJane Austen and George Eliot: The lady and the radical', by Edward Whitley'Wild for Austen: A rebellious, subversive, and untamed Jane', by Devoney Looser'The Pursuit and the End', by Sylvia Townsend WarnerProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Camille Ralphs, TLS poetry editor and poet, shares her raw and revealing experiences traveling across the U.S. on Greyhound buses during her book tour, discussing the visible struggles of fellow passengers and the often harsh realities of bus travel. Meanwhile, Alev Adil, a writer and reviewer, delves into the cultural significance of train travel as depicted in literature, reviewing Monisha Rajesh's engaging tales from night trains and Andrew Martin's historical insights into seaside tourism. Both guests offer a heartfelt reflection on the transformative power of travel.

This week, Damian Flanagan explores the complex history of the Japanese masterpiece The Tale of Genji; and Miranda France on the eventful life and enduring work of Miguel de Cervantes.'The Tale of Genji', by Murasaki Shikibu'El Verano de Cervantes', by Antonio Muñoz Molina'El Cautivo', directed by Alejandro AmenábarProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

C.D. Rose, a celebrated novelist and Goldsmiths Prize winner for 'We Live Here Now', dives into the themes of absence and artistic value. He discusses the novel's unique episodic structure and the challenges of finding the right form. The conversation also explores the complexities of gallery culture, the unseen labor in art's supply chain, and the contrasting perceptions of artistic versus monetary value. Rose emphasizes the importance of playfulness in creativity and shares his insights on blending genres, showcasing how narratives can be expanded in contemporary literature.

This week, how well does Alan Hollinghurst's novel The Line of Beauty translate to the stage? And Toby Lichtig interviews the newest winner of the Booker Prize, David Szalay.'The Line of Beauty', by Jack Holden, based on the novel by Alan Hollinghurst, Almeida Theatre, London, until November 29'Flesh', by David SzalayProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Terri Apter reviews a quartet of books exploring the impact of parenthood on identity, particularly for women; and we revisit Helen Garner, as she wins the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.'Four Mothers: A year of motherhood around the world', by Abigail Leonard'The Republic of Parenthood: On bringing up babies', by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett'Second Life: Having a child in the digital age', by Amanda Hess'Childless by Choice: The meaning and legacy of a childfree life', by Helen Taylor'How to End a Story: Collected Diaries', by Helen GarnerProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lily Herd introduces us to the concept of Fascist Yoga; and Mark Storey on America’s ghosts.‘Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread’, by Leila Taylor‘Haunted States: An American Gothic Guidebook’, by Miranda CorcoranProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.