The Book Club

Latest Episodes:

36. The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath’s Tragedy Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

How did the paranoia of 1950s McCarthyist America shape Sylvia Plath? Why was The Bell Jar the poet's only novel? And, what was the truth of her relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Bell Jar, and the world it was born of.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Joe Pettit

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35. Goldfinger: The Ultimate James Bond Novel Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Why did James Bond appeal to 1950s Britain? Is Goldfinger hopelessly out of date? And, who really inspired the titular villain?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Goldfinger, and the world it was born of.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: James Clayden

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34. American Psycho: Murder, Trump, and New York City Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Why was the book so heavily censored on publication? Is the novel gratuitously violent? And, what happened when Tabby met Bret Easton Ellis?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of American Psycho, and the world it was born of.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Joe Pettit

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

33. Jane Eyre: The Best Brontë Novel? Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Brontë? And, what social critiques lie in the heart of the novel?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Jane Eyre, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Caroline Kaye

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32. A Month In The Country: Is This The Greatest Novella Ever Written? Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

How did the First World War affect the British soldier survivors? Is this pastoral novella one of the UK's best books? How did J L Carr's Yorkshire upbringing impact the setting and tone of the story?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Month In The Country, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31. Lord Of The Flies: Survival Of The Fittest Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

How did William Golding’s experience in the Second World War inspire Lord Of The Flies? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what does it say it about the fragile nature of society?

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Lord Of The Flies, and the world it was born of.

Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Caroline Kaye

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30. Lolita: Nabokov’s Twisted Masterpiece? Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Who was Vladimir Nabokov? Why is Lolita so controversial? And, what was the reaction to its publication?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the story behind Lolita, and the novel itself.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier and Josh Smith

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29. Rebecca: Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic Epic Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

How did Daphne du Maurier use her own experience to write the chilling events of Rebecca? Who is the sinister Mrs Danvers? And, what really happened to Rebecca?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Rebecca, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.

Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply. Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

You can order Rebecca and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Joe Pettit

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28. Hemingway’s Spanish Civil War: For Whom The Bell Tolls Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

How did the Spanish Civil War inspire one of Ernest Hemingway’s greatest novels? Why was Hemingway so captivated by Spain? And, were the characters of For Whom The Bell Tolls inspired by real people?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the context behind Hemingway's writing, and the world of For Whom The Bell Tolls.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Email us: ⁠⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27. Brave New World: The Dystopia That Came True? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

How does Aldous Huxley satirise roaring twenties America? Is a Brave New World more realistic than 1984? And, what is the novel's Shakespearean connection?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Brave New World, and the novel itself.

Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Joe Pettit