Bookclub

Latest Episodes:

Richard Osman Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

Presented by James Naughtie, BBC Bookclub speaks to the writer Richard Osman about his crime-fiction novel The Thursday Murder Club, which sold millions of copies, and has been made into a film.

Alan Warner: Morvern Callar Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

Award-winning writer Alan Warner takes questions from Radio 4's Bookclub audience about his first-person, pacey novel, Morvern Callar, which was written in 1995 when Warner was in his late twenties. Morvern is a twenty-one year old foster-child whose life takes an irreversible turn when she discovers her boyfriend's dead body. The book was later turned into a critically-acclaimed film, of the same name, in 2002.

Producer: Dom Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan

This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

Carys Davies: The Mission House Nov 03, 2024

Show notes

The writer Carys Davies talks to readers about her beautifully-crafted novel, The Mission House, which follows the character of Hilary Byrd, a British librarian in his fifties, who is seeking to find himself again in modern-day southern India.

Susanna Clarke: Piranesi Oct 06, 2024

Show notes

Susanna Clarke won the Women's Prize for Fiction with her novel Piranesi. She joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer their questions about this intriguing, tantalising novel.

Ken Follett: A Column of Fire Sep 01, 2024

Show notes

Bestselling novelist Ken Follett joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss his historical novel A Column of Fire, the third in his hugely successful Kingsbridge series. It’s a tale of spying and intrigue, as Elizabeth I battles to keep her throne in the face of fierce religious division across Europe.

Ayobami Adebayo Aug 04, 2024

Show notes

Ayobami Adebayo talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel, Stay With Me, a moving story of loss and motherhood. Set against the backdrop of tumultuous political events in Nigeria, it tells the story of Yejide and Akin, whose marriage is childless. The novel, which is narrated by them both, explores the pressure to have a child, the toll it takes on their relationship and the profound emotional burden of desperately wanting to become a parent. Ayobami answers readers questions about the inspiration behind Stay With Me and how she inhabited the minds of her characters.

Presenter: James Naughtie Producer : Nicola Holloway

Next Bookclub recordings - both at 1830 in Broadcasting House, London

14 August - Ken Follett on A Column of Fire 25 September - Susanna Clarke on Piranesi

Marlon James: A Brief History of Seven Killings Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

Marlon James answers readers' questions about his award-winning novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings. The novel, which is narrated by multiple characters, opens in Jamaica in the run-up to the 1976 election. Kingston is riven by violence as competing gangs, some supported by the US government, compete for territory and control of the drugs trade. The novel is based on real events, including a planned assassination attempt on Bob Marley. Marlon James talks to readers about writing multiple characters, his approach to describing violence and how he sees the book now, ten years after publication.

Forthcoming recordings at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House in London

10 July - Ayobami Adebayo on Stay With Me 14 August - Ken Follett on A Column of Fire 25 September - Susanna Clarke on Piranesi

Lucy Caldwell: These Days Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

Celebrated novelist and short story writer Lucy Caldwell joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss These Days. Set in 1941, it focusses on the lives of two sisters living through the Belfast Blitz.

Lucy talks about the inspiration for her novel, her research and writing it during the pandemic.

Nicholas Shakespeare: Six Minutes in May May 05, 2024

Show notes

James Naughtie and readers quiz Nicholas Shakespeare about his book, Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister. It chronicles the dramatic political and military events of 1940 which led to the momentous Norway Debate and Chamberlain’s resignation.

Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Wednesday 15 May at 1300: Lucy Caldwell on These Days

Thursday 6 June at 1245: Marlon James on A Brief History of Seven Killings

Clare Chambers: Small Pleasures Apr 07, 2024

Show notes

Clare Chambers talks to James Naughtie and readers about her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures. Set in the London suburbs in the 1950s, it tells the story of Jean Swinney, a journalist who is asked to investigate a letter sent to her paper, from a mother claiming her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean meets the mother, Gretchen; her husband, Howard and daughter Margaret and is drawn into their family life. Her investigations soon expand both her world, and her heart.

Upcoming recordings, at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Wednesday 24 April at 1800 - Nicholas Shakespeare on Six Minutes In May

Wednesday 15 May at 1300 - Lucy Caldwell on These Days.

Thursday 6 June at 1245 - Marlon James on A Brief History of Seven Killings

Wednesday 10 July at 1830 - Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ on Stay With Me

Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part. Over 18s only.