Bookclub

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John Lanchester - Capital Jan 01, 2017

Show notes

John Lanchester talks to James Naughtie and a group of readers about his novel Capital, which was a major BBC TV drama in 2015.

The residents of an affluent street in London are busy getting on with their lives when one day something strange happens. Every house in the street has an identical, mysterious postcard pushed through their letterboxes that simply states "'We Want What You Have.'

At first, the residents of Pepys Road, who are from mixed racial and social backgrounds, dismiss the notes as some sort of marketing campaign but gradually as events begin to escalate it becomes clear that there is more to this strange occurrence.

John Lanchester is a successful financial journalist as well as novelist. The novel covers multiple contemporary issues in British life including the financial crisis of 2007-08, immigration, radical Islam, celebrity, and property prices. In Capital, there is always mystery at the back of the reader's mind.

Presented by James Naughtie with contributions and questions from a group of invited readers.

Presenter : James Naughtie Interviewed guest : John Lanchester Producer : Dymphna Flynn

February's Bookclub Choice : The Travelling Hornplayer by Barbara Trapido (1998).

Jay McInerney - Bright Lights, Big City Dec 29, 2016

Show notes

American writer Jay McInerney discusses his debut novel Bright Lights, Big City with James Naughtie and a group of readers.

Bright Lights, Big City not only cemented Jay McInerney as a superstar among debut novelists, but came to define the culture of 80s New York in all its gritty yet glamorous glory.

We follow the young unnamed narrator - he's 'You' throughout the book - during a whirlwind week in New York. He is bored with his job on a Manhattan magazine, wants to be a writer, and has been abandoned by his fashion-model wife. By night he roams the brightly lit streets of the city, hanging out in clubs and loft parties, powered by "Bolivian Marching Powder". By the time his crazy week is over the emptiness returns.

Presenter : James Naughtie Interviewed guest : Jay McInerney Producer : Dymphna Flynn

January's Bookclub choice : Capital by John Lanchester (2012).

Bookclub - Helen Macdonald on H is for Hawk Oct 02, 2016

Show notes

James Naughtie discusses H is for Hawk with Helen Macdonald

Bookclub - Don DeLillo on Underworld Sep 04, 2016

Show notes

James Naughtie talks to Don DeLillo about his novel Underworld

Bookclub - Evie Wyld on After the Fire a Still, Small Voice Aug 07, 2016

Show notes

James Naughtie talks to Evie Wyld about After the Fire a Still, Small Voice

Bookclub - Maggie O'Farrell on The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Jul 03, 2016