The TLS Podcast

This week, Lisa Hilton on the truth behind life as a 'grand horizontale'; and Juliette Bretan explores why Virginia Woolf served up boeuf en daube in To the Lighthouse.'Kingmaker: Pamela Churchill Harriman’s astonishing life of seduction, intrigue and power', by Sonia Purnell'Europe in British Literature and Culture', edited by Petra Rau and William T RossiterProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Larry Wolff admires an opera propelled by drone warfare; and Edward Carey describes how a love of theatre inspired his new novel.'Grounded', by Jeanine Tesori, libretto by George Brant, Metropolitan Opera, New York, until October 19'Edith Holler', by Edward CareyProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, Milo Nesbitt delves into the future of music, exploring how genres are evolving in the age of digital streaming and AI. Simon Reynolds discusses the enduring significance of tracks like 'I Feel Love' within electronic music history. On the culinary front, Roger Domeneghetti and Christopher Beckman champion the anchovy's pivotal role in Western cuisine, examining its umami flavor and historical ties from ancient remedies to modern dishes. Together, they reflect on how music and food shape culture.

Ann Manov, a literary critic known for her insights into contemporary fiction, shares her thoughts on Sally Rooney’s latest work. Rachel Kushner, an acclaimed author, joins the conversation to discuss her novel 'Creation Lake,' highlighting its complex female protagonist and moral ambiguity. The dialogue delves into the philosophical themes woven into these narratives, particularly justice and cultural critique. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their own literary opinions amid the buzz surrounding new releases.

This week, typographer Tom Cook on the fonts of all knowledge; and Graham Daseler explores Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler's firecracker relationship.'Albertus: The Biography of a Typeface', by Simon Garfield'Baskerville: The Biography of a Typeface', by Simon Garfield'Comic Sans: The Biography of a Typeface', by Simon Garfield'From the Moment They Met it was Murder: Double Indemnity and the Rise of Film Noir', by Alain Silver and James UrsiniProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Beard, a distinguished classical scholar, shares her insights on the recent discovery of Euripides' lost fragments, shedding light on their significance in understanding ancient drama. Director James Macdonald and actor Lucian Msamati delve into their production of 'Waiting for Godot', discussing rehearsal challenges and the interplay of authorial intent and creative expression. They explore the play's themes of humor and complexity in a post-lockdown context, emphasizing how personal experiences shape audience perceptions.

This week, medieval spells and modern cures, as we look back at some podcast highlights with Mary C Flannery and Charles Foster.'Textual Magic: Charms and Written Amulets in Medieval England', by Katherine Storm Hindley'Ten Trips: The new reality of psychedelics', by Andy Mitchell'Psychedelics: The revolutionary drugs that could change your life – a guide from the expert', by David Nutt'I feel love: MDMA and the quest for connection in a fractured world', by Rachel Nuwer'Psychonauts: Drugs and the making of the modern mind', by Mike JayProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lucy and Alex are joined by Amber Massie-Blomfield, who discusses her new book about the connections between art and protest.'Acts of Resistance: The Power of Art to Create a Better World', byAmber Massie-BlomfieldProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lucy and Alex are joined by the novelist David Peace, who explains what drew him to writing about the 1958 Munich Air Disaster.'Munichs', by David PeaceProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we take a look back at Fintan O'Toole's pre-election assessment of Keir Starmer; and revisit a conversation with William Boyd.'Keir Starmer: The Biography', by Tom Baldwin'November 1942: An Intimate History of the Turning Point of World WarII’, by Peter Englund', translated by Peter GravesProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.