World Book Club
BBC World Service
The world's great authors discuss their best-known novel.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 29, 2004 • 27min
Gillian Slovo
South African novelist, Gillian Slovo talks about her novel 'Red Dust'. Presented by Harriett Gilbert.
May 20, 2004 • 27min
Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier joins an audience of World Service listeners to discuss her novel 'Girl With A Pearl Earring'.Image: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, Credit: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images
Feb 24, 2004 • 27min
Martin Cruz Smith
Author Martin Cruz Smith talks about his novel Gorky Park. Presented by Harriett Gilbert from California in a special co-production with San Francisco radio station KALW
Jan 29, 2004 • 27min
Amy Tan
Amy Tan joins an audience of World Service listeners to discuss her novel The Joy Luck Club.
Nov 26, 2003 • 27min
Isabelle Allende - The House of Spirits
Chilean novelist Isabel Allende joins an audience of World Service listeners to discuss her novel 'The House of the Spirits'.
First broadcast in November 2003.
(Photo credit: Lori Barra.)
Oct 23, 2003 • 27min
Frederick Forsyth - The Day of the Jackal
Frederick Forsyth joins an audience of World Service listners to discuss his novel 'The Day of the Jackal'. Introduced by Harriett Gilbert. First broadcast in October 2003.(Photo: Frederick Forsyth outside his home in Ireland, 1978)
(Credit: Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Sep 25, 2003 • 27min
Peter Carey
Peter Carey joins an audience of World Service listeners to discuss his novel 'Oscar and Lucinda'. Introduced by Harriett Gilbert.
Aug 28, 2003 • 27min
Ruth Rendell - A Judgement in Stone
Popular British crime writer Ruth Rendell talked to the programme about her work, including that written under her pseudonym Barbara Vine. Ruth Rendell died in May 2015.(Photo: Ruth Rendell)
(Credit:Seth Wenig/Reuters)
7 snips
Jul 31, 2003 • 26min
Julian Barnes
Julian Barnes, a prize-winning British novelist acclaimed for his inventive storytelling, dives into his book, 'Flaubert's Parrot.' He shares his fascination with Flaubert and discusses the complexities of writing a novel rather than a traditional biography. Barnes explores the ethics of publishing authors' letters, emphasizes the perspectives of those overshadowed by great writers, and reflects on the challenges of writer's block. He also touches on the omitted chapter linking creativity and sexuality, revealing the layers behind his narrative choices.
Jun 14, 2003 • 27min
Jung Chang
Prize winning Chinese writer Jung Chang joins a World Service audience to discuss her novel 'Wild Swans'. Presented by Harriett Gilbert.
