The TLS Podcast

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.

This week, Lauren Elkin on a Nobel Prize-winner's obsession with images; and Judith Flanders assesses bold claims about the origins of contemporary English.'The Use of Photography', by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie, translated by Alison L. Strayer'La Langue Anglaise N'existe Pas: C’est du français mal prononcé', by Bernard CerquigliniProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Toby Lichtig talks to the new Booker Prize-winner Samantha Harvey about her voyage to the stars; and TLS contributors choose their books of the year.‘Orbital’, by Samantha HarveyProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Norma Clarke, Emeritus Professor of English Literature, dives into the adventurous life of 18th-century figure Mary Robinson, highlighting her radical literary contributions. Devoney Looser explores a soccer player's passion for Virginia Woolf, connecting sport and literature. Discussions reveal how Robinson's influence is reflected in Jane Austen’s works, while also emphasizing the importance of Chawton House in preserving women's literary history. The podcast blends the whimsical with the academic, celebrating the rich legacies of female writers.

This week, Mary Beard reports on the American election from her billet on Pennysylvania Avenue; plus Regina Rini opens a can of temporal worms in a quest to cure worry.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special interview, Lucy Dallas meets artist William Kentridge to explore his new set of films.'Self-Portrait as a Coffee-Pot', by William Kentridge, available on Mubi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.