The TLS Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

That Old Chestnut Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

This week, John Banville considers the work of a formidable Irish writer; and Fiona Stafford on meetings with remarkable trees.

'An Arrow in Flight', by Mary Lavin, selected by Colm Tóibín

'The Genius of Trees: How trees mastered the elements and shaped the world', by Harriet Rix

The Great Tree Story: How forests have shaped our world', by Levison Wood

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food fights Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, Julian Evans on two books exploring the link between food and war in Ukraine; and Lily Herd introduces this issue's In Brief reviews.

'Strong Roots: A Ukrainian family story, interrupted', by Olia Hercules

'Bread and War: A Ukrainian story of food, bravery and hope', by Felicity Spector

In Brief: 'Postcards, translators and Esperanto pioneers', by Guilherme Fians, Bernhard Struck and Claire Taylor; 'Rapture of the deep', by Robert Irwin, completed by Andrew Crumey; 'Here comes the sun', by Bill McKibben; 'Queens at war', by Alison Weir; 'Interrupted journeys', by Adrian Potter; 'Literature and epistemic injustice', by Sarah Colvin; 'Invading the American canon', by Muireann Maguire; 'Nabokov and the Russian diaspora', by Bryan Karetnyk

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Conversation with Michael Morpurgo Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Here is the interview with Michael Morpurgo in full.

Produced by Charlotte Pardu

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From trains to treaties Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, an interview with the inspirational Michael Morpurgo; and David Horspool discusses the Second World War with Tim Bouverie, the winner of this year's Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize.

'The Line to Legend Land', with an introduction by Michael Morpurgo

'Black Beauty: A retelling', by Michael Morpurgo

'Allies at war: The politics of defeating Hitler', by Tim Bouverie

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revolutionary Roads Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

This week, the extraordinary stories of two pioneering women: Francesca Wade on Rhoda Power, and Sarah Lonsdale on Clemence Dane.

'In the Storm: Caught in the chaos of the Russian revolution 1917-18', by Rhoda Power

'Clemence Dane and Good Housekeeping: Modernity and common reading', by Stella Deen

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full Interview with Francis Spufford Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Here is our full conversation with Francis Spufford, he joined us to talk about his new novel, Nonesuch.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Escape Artists Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

This week, Christy Edwall on the boon of being a bookworm; and Norma Clarke is impressed by a memoir of a childhood survived.

'Books: A manifesto, or, How to build a library', by Ian Patterson

'The gifts of reading for the next generation: Essays on nurturing a passion for reading', edited by Jennie Orchard

'Relearning to read: Adventures in not-knowing', by Ann Morgan

'Leaving Home: A memoir in full colour', by Mark Haddon

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February Highlights Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

As February draws to a close, we’re taking a listen back at some of the conversations we’ve had over the past month on The TLS Podcast.

We listen back to Nick Enfield exploring the benefits of playing games, Mary Hitchman on the history of humanity's fascination with the moon, Peter Filkins, winner of the inaugural Freudenheim Translation Prize, joins us with chair of the judges Boyd Tonkin and Darra Goldstein on the hidden properties of kimchi and sourdough.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darkness Visible Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, novelist Francis Spufford explains why the Blitz proved fertile territory for fantasy and the occult; and Darra Goldstein on the hidden properties of kimchi and sourdough.

'Nonesuch', by Francis Spufford

'Adventures in Fermentation: From ancient origins to culinary frontiers, an exploration of the microbes that shape the world we live in', by Johnny Drain

'Ferment: The life-changing power of microbes', by Tim Spector

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Cortège of Snails Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, Peter Filkins, winner of the inaugural Freudenheim Translation Prize, joins us with chair of the judges Boyd Tonkin to talk about the mercurial genius of Elias Canetti; and a poem in praise of Tuesdays by Jamie McKendrick.

'The Book Against Death', by Elias Canetti, translated by Peter Filkins

'Mardi Gras', by Jamie McKendrick

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.