

The TLS Podcast
The TLS
A weekly podcast on books and culture brought to you by the writers and editors of the Times Literary Supplement.To read more, welcome to the TLS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2025 • 43min
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
This week, Nicola Shulman is entranced by the life of a naturalist; and Larry Wolff enjoys a night at the opera - with added superheroes.'A year with Gilbert White: The first great nature writer', by Jenny Uglow'The amazing adventures of Kavalier & Clay', by Mason Bates and Gene Scheer, based on the book by Michael Chabon, Metropolitan Opera, New York, until October 11Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 25, 2025 • 55min
All Rise
This week, Richard Sennett delivers a powerful warning to universities to defend their freedom; and Helena Kelly on the revolutionary world that shaped Jane Austen.'The Worlds of Jane Austen: The Influence and Inspiration Behind the Novels', by Helena KellyProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 18, 2025 • 56min
Epic moves
This week, AE Stallings immerses herself in Daniel Mendelsohn's new translation of Homer's Odyssey; and Dinah Birch is intrigued by an ambitious novel twenty years in the making. 'The Odyssey', by Homer, translated by Daniel Mendelsohn 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny', by Kiran DesaiProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2025 • 53min
Such stuff as dreams are made on
This week, James Shapiro celebrates New York's love affair with Shakespeare; Mark Nayler goes on the hunt for monsters; and Lily Herd introduces this issue's In Brief pages. 'Monsterland: A journey around the world’s dark imagination', by Nicholas Jubber'The Perilous Deep: A supernatural history of the Atlantic', by Karl BellProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 5, 2025 • 52min
Code-breakers
This week, Professor Jonathan Bate on a tiny Elizabethan portrait with an illuminating history; and novelist Gwendoline Riley assesses the mysterious life and work of Dame Muriel Spark.'Electric Spark: The enigma of Muriel Spark', by Frances Wilson'The Letters of Muriel Spark – Volume 1: 1944–1963', edited by Dan GunnProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2025 • 50min
Let's Get Lost
This week, the winner of this year's TLS Ackerley Prize, Jeff Young, discusses his spellbinding memoir; and Toby Lichtig talks to the Australian novelist Michelle de Kretser at this year's Hay Festival.'Wild Twin', by Jeff Young'Theory & Practice', by Michelle de KretserProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 21, 2025 • 45min
In vino veritas
This week, George Berridge instructs Lucy and Alex on the noble art of oenophilia; and Lucy takes in a trio of musicals.'Who's Afraid of Romanée-Conti: A shortcut to drinking great wines', by Dan Keeling'One Thousand Vines: A new way to understand wine', by Pascaline Peltier'Good Night, Oscar', by Doug Wright, Barbican, until September 21'Top Hat', by Irving Berlin, Chichester Festival Theatre, until September 6'Brigadoon', by Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe, adapted by Rona Munro, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, until September 20Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14, 2025 • 54min
A Force of Nature
Alex Clark celebrates the life and work of Edna O'Brien with filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea and novelists Eimear McBride and Jan Carson at this year's Belfast Book Festival.'Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story', by Sinéad O'SheaProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2025 • 50min
Feather weight
This week, a special interview with farmer and writer James Rebanks about a life-changing stay on the Norwegian coast.'The Place of Tides', by James RebanksProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2025 • 54min
Blowing in the wind
This week, Emile Chabal braces himself against the barrelling force of the Mistral; and Kathryn Hughes is exhilarated by memories of dancing to Dickens in the carpark of the Horsham Odeon.'The Mistral: A Windswept History of Modern France', by Catherine Tatiana Dunlop'Showtime!', at the Charles Dickens Museum, until January 18, 2026Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.