The Book Show
ABC listen
Your favourite fiction authors share the story behind their latest books.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 26, 2023 • 54min
Richard Flanagan on the atomic bomb, HG Wells and a kiss
Booker winner Richard Flanagan on why writing his latest book Question 7 "felt like a strange dream". Also, the artist's muse in fiction and how a mistake led to Laura Jean McKay's latest book.
Nov 19, 2023 • 54min
Tony Birch and Christos Tsiolkas on love, shame and dangerous dinner-parties
Two very different writers explore the dynamics of family and violence: Tony Birch in a 1960s working class, Catholic family and Christos Tsiolkas in middle-aged gay relationships.
Nov 12, 2023 • 54min
Booker Prize shortlist — mythical, profound and lyrical
In the lead up to the 2023 Booker Prize award, we dive into the six shortlisted novels and meet the authors.
Nov 5, 2023 • 54min
"We don't come from nowhere" — Melissa Lucashenko on her historical novel Edenglassie
Brisbane is in the spotlight with Melissa Lucashenko exploring the early days of the colony in time for the city's bicentenary and debut novelist Melanie Saward's story of a troubled teen with an attraction to fire.
Oct 29, 2023 • 54min
Haunting fiction with Shehan Karunatilaka, Steve Toltz and many more
Things are getting spooky on The Book Show, as we explore ghostly fiction. Booker winner Shehan Karunatilaka and Australian Steve Toltz will imagine the afterlife with their beyond-the-grave novels. Jennifer Mills, SJ Norman and Kevin Jared Hosein will tell you about the ghosts haunting their books, and Josh Kemp and Michelle Johnston will take you to the ghost towns that inspired their fiction.
Oct 22, 2023 • 54min
Between two worlds with Jesmyn Ward, Graham Akhurst and Anna McGahan
Three authors on the spirits and spirituality at the heart of their novels - award winning US author Jesmyn Ward's lyrical novel about slavery, Indigenous author Graham Akhurt's terrifying dog man in his debut novel, and Anna McGahan on her former membership of a Pentecostal church that informs her Vogel Literary Award winning book.
Oct 15, 2023 • 54min
"It began with a crime" — Cassandra Clare's latest fantasy fiction
Bestselling fantasy author Cassandra Clare draws on her Jewish background in her first novel for adults, Kareem Abdulrahman on translating Kurdish Iraqi author Bachtyar Ali and Mirandi Riwoe's jasmine drenched historical novel.
Oct 8, 2023 • 54min
Trent Dalton on homelessness, hope and the tyrannosaurus waltz
Trent Dalton's foray into Brisbane's underworld in his third novel, Leah Kaminsky's story of dolls and exile and Peter Polities on mothers and sons.
Oct 1, 2023 • 54min
Jeanette Winterson on avatars and the afterlife, plus Kate Mildenhall
Two writers imagine how technology will shape our future: Jeanette Winterson talks about how AI will give new meaning to ghost stories and Australian writer Kate Mildenhall imagines an algorithm to save the world.
Sep 25, 2023 • 54min
Sebastian Faulks and what makes us human
Sebastian Faulks on what makes us human, Emily Perkins takes on female rage and Jane Harrison digs into Australian history to bring us The Visitors.
