The TLS Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Nevertheless, They Persisted Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

This week, Adam Mars-Jones on the "fractal brocade" of his semi-infinite novel series; and Amber Massie-Blomfield revisits Susan Sontag's production of Waiting for Godot in Sarajevo, thirty years on.

'Caret', by Adam Mars-Jones

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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The Pursuit Of The Interesting Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

In the last of our summer round-ups, Gwendoline Riley stalks the streets of London in the company of Michael Bracewell; and Ruth Scurron a final work by the indomitable Janet Malcolm.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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Femmes Fatales Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

In this week's round-up, we talk to Mary C Flannery about the continuing attraction of the irrepressible Wife of Bath; and mystery writer Nicola Upson on the unconventional life and unforgettable work of Josephine Tey.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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Natural Passions Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

In the second of our summer round-ups, we revisit Richard Smyth discussing the life and the work of the naturalist Ronald Blythe; and Lucasta Miller on an extraordinary collection of commonplace books.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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School's Out For Summer Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

In the first of our seasonal round-ups, we look back at Stephen Marche on the agonies of the writing life; and Nat Segnit dives into Adam Gopnik's survey of mastery.

'On writing and failure: Or, the peculiar perseverance required to

endure the life of a writer', by Stephen Marche

'The real work: On the mystery of mastery', by Adam Gopnik

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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Running And Dancing Through Our Stories Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

This week, Kate Hext on women who have run or climbed their way through the world, despite efforts to stop them; and Alice Robb thinks about how - and why - we tell stories through dance.

'In Her Nature: How Women Break Boundaries in the Great Outdoors', by Rachel Hewitt

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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Riders On The Storm Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

This week, cycling commentator par excellence Ned Boulting on the Tour de France of a century ago; and Peter Parker delves into the many faces of the self-styled 'Master' playwright, Noel Coward.

'1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession', by Ned Boulting

'Masquerade: The Lives of Noel Coward', by Oliver Soden

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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Take A Walk On The Wild Side Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

This week, AE Stallings, the new Oxford professor of poetry, on the lives of poets; and Ann Kennedy Smith considers the different faces of Cornwall.

'Sleeping on islands: A life in poetry', by Andrew Motion

'The American poet laureate: A history of US poetry and the state', by Amy Paeth

'The granite kingdom: A Cornish journey', by Tim Hannigan

'Treasures of Cornwall: A literary anthology', edited by Luke Thompson

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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The Writing on The Wall Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

This week, Mary Beard is fascinated by an ancient graffito, and novelist Michael Hughes on the murder case that almost brought down the Irish government.

A Don's Life: https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/virgil-on-pots-and-walls-blog-post-mary-beard/

'A Thread of Violence: A Story of Truth, Invention and Murder', by Mark O'Connell

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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The Limits of Love Jun 25, 2023

Show notes

Kathleen Taylor considers human personality under assault from advanced dementia.

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/alzheimer-dementia-sandeep-jauhar-dasha-kiper-susan-elkin-book-review-kathleen-taylor/

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