The Book Club

Latest Episodes:

26. Mafia and Mystery: Is ‘My Brilliant Friend’ the Greatest Novel of the Century? Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

What does My Brilliant Friend tell us about the dark underbelly of Italian society after the Second World War? Who is the mysterious Elena Ferrante? And, how did she craft a heartbreaking parable of escape and love?

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

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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

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Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editor: Caroline Kaye

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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25. The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

How did the First World War inspire The 39 Steps? Why did John Buchan set the novel in Scotland? And, is the dashing protagonist Richard Hannay, a model for later Spy heroes?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The 39 Steps, and the world it was born of.

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

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YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Video Editors: Lorcan Moullier & Joe Pettit

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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24. Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate Summer Reading List Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Which books should you take on your summer holiday? How have some of Dominic and Tabby’s favourite destinations shaped these novels? And, what makes a summer classic?

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

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23. The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

How does Madeline Miller re-work Greek mythology to explore women’s experience? Is Circe the best fantasy novel of the 2010s? And, why do we remain captivated by the world of ancient Greece?

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

You can order Circe 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: James Clayden

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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22. The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever Written? Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

How did Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s family story shape his only novel, The Leopard? Why is The Leopard considered an Italian masterpiece? And, who is the sexiest man ever written?

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

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

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21. The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story Became An Icon Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

How did Kenneth Grahame come up with the idea for The Wind In The Willows? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what character would Tabby and Dominic be?

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

You can order The Wind In The Willows 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: Bruno Di Castri

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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20. Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind A Song of Ice and Fire Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

What real-world historical events and figures inspired the political conflicts in Westeros? Is George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones better than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? And, is it likely that George R.R. Martin will ever finish the A Song of Ice and Fire series?

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

You can order A Game of Thrones and explore our favourite Folio books at https://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: Jack Meek

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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19. Little Women: The Secret Sadness of a Classic Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

How did Louisa May Alcott break social and literary conventions? Is Little Women the first coming of age story in a novel? And, what do Tabby and Dominic think of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaption?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Little Women, the world it was born of, 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: James Clayden

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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18. The Code Of The Woosters: The Funniest Book Ever Written? Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

How did P.G. Wodehouse become one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century? Why have Jeeves and Wooster become such an iconic pairing? And, did P.G. Wodehouse collaborate with the Nazis?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Code Of The Woosters, the world it was born of, 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: James Clayden

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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17. Oscar Wilde's Downfall: The Picture of Dorian Gray Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

How did the anxieties of late-Victorian Britain inspire Dorian Gray? Which real people lay behind the characters of Dorian Gray? What were the French Decadents, and how did they influence Wilde?

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

Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠

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/

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