The Observer Book Club

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Books
Monthly

The Observer Book Club brings to life great stories, ideas and debate. Hosted by the Observer’s literary editor Tom Gatti.

US$7.99/month or US$69.99/year

21 Jun • TheObserver+ Only

Sathnam Sanghera

In this episode, Opinions and Ideas Editor Alex O’Connell speaks to Sathnam Sanghera about his new book, Tonight the Music Seems So Loud, a celebration of the music, life and legacy of George Michael. Few artists have shaped British culture quite like George Michael — and few have been as misunderstood. Part biography, part cultural history, Sathnam Sanghera’s book goes far beyond the myth of the pop star to uncover the man behind the headlines — and what his life tells us about modern Britain.

46 min
10 Jun • TheObserver+ Only

Jamie Bartlett

In this episode, the Observer’s Technology Editor, Patricia Clarke speaks to the author and broadcaster, Jamie Bartlett about his new book, How to talk to AI. Patricia and Jamie discuss how large language models work and how we can harness their processes to fuel our creativity and test ideas. Jamie explains the phenomenon of ‘jailbreaking’ – bypassing AI’s safety protocols – and warns of the dangers for users of AI; of cognitive offloading and emotional manipulation. Recorded live at the Hay Festival.

56 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Douglas Stuart

In this episode, The Observer's Literary Editor Tom Gatti speaks to Douglas Stuart - the Booker prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo. Douglas’ deeply affecting new novel, John of John is set on Scotland’s Western Isles and follows a father and son bound together by love and shame, in a community shaped by a beautiful landscape and an unforgiving faith. Tom and Douglas discuss island life, how British fiction failed the working classes and what it means to belong – and Douglas tells us about some very unusual knitting. Recorded live at the Observer's London Newsroom.

52 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Deborah Levy

In this episode, The Observer's Literary Editor Tom Gatti speaks to Deborah Levy, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary literature, about her new book, My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein. Blending memoir, literary criticism and fiction, Deborah Levy leads us through Parisian streets, salons and archives in search of the woman whose ideas and desires shaped modernism – with several detours to look for a missing cat. Recorded live at the Observer's London Newsroom.

50 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Margaret Busby

In this episode, the editor of The Observer’s New Review Tim Adams speaks to trailblazing publisher, editor and author Margaret Busby about her illuminating new book Part of the Story. Drawing on six decades at the heart of British publishing - from being the UK's youngest and first Black female publisher to championing overlooked voices across the African diaspora - Busby reflects on a career of breakthroughs, barriers and bold choices.

41 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Robert Macfarlane

In this episode, the Observer's climate editor Jeevan Vasagar speaks to the acclaimed nature writer Robert Macfarlane about his new book, Is a River Alive? Recorded live at the Observer's London Newsroom.

47 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Naomi Alderman

In this episode The Observer’s Deputy Comment Editor Erica Wagner speaks to award-winning author Naomi Alderman, as she discusses her latest book, Don’t Burn Anyone at the Stake Today. It’s an electrifying exploration of how the digital era is reshaping our world as the internet floods us with knowledge, opinion and misinformation, dividing us and upending our sense of history.

49 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Afua Hirsch

In this episode, the Observer’s Deputy Comment Editor Erica Wagner speaks to award winning writer, journalist and broadcaster, Afua Hirsh, about her book - Decolonising My Body. They discuss beauty standards, non-western rituals and celebrating our bodies - and Afua even shares the advice she received from Oprah Winfrey.

49 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Emma Gannon

In this episode of The Observer Book Club, national news editor, Claudia Williams, talks to author and podcaster Emma Gannon, about her latest book, A Year of Doing Nothing. Recorded live at the Observer's London newsroom.

38 min
26 May • TheObserver+ Only

Rutger Bregman

In this episode of The Observer Book Club, editor-in-chief, James Harding, talks to the Dutch historian and author, Rutger Bregman, about his latest book, Moral Ambition. Recorded live at the Observer's London newsroom.

34 min

10 Episodes

Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria. In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promised to modernise the country. But when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And in all the years that a war raged on, Asma stands by her husband. She seemingly ignored the desperate pleas to stop her husband from killing his own people. But what did she really know about the atrocities her husband’s government was carrying out? And what choices did she really have? Some people allege that she actually assisted the regime and cashed in on the war, that she herself is a war criminal. Others say she tried to run away but was trapped, held hostage by a regime who threatened her life and her children. So, who is the real Emma? We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. To binge listen to all episodes today, ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 for 50% off an annual digital subscription. You'll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone elseAd-free listeningA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for access to this series and ad-free listening to Observer podcasts. Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer - Gary Marshall Sound design - Karla Patella Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Documentary
Kirat and Bobby have an unusual relationship. The circumstances of their individual lives mean it’s difficult for them to meet face to face but, despite everything, they end up falling in love. Their romance might play out online but in many ways it’s a traditional love story. Until Kirat discovers the disturbing truth. Sweet Bobby is the #1 chart-topping, award-winning series about a sophisticated ten year scam that almost destroyed one woman’s life, and the investigation into the catfisher behind it all. If you want to listen to more thought-provoking investigations, head to Tortoise Investigates - the home of all our investigative podcasts. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free episodes. Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Documentary
Gareth’s whole life has been defined by a relationship he had 35 years ago when, as a 14-year-old schoolboy, he fell in love with an attractive young teacher at his school. He spent most afternoons in her bedroom and thought he was the luckiest boy in the world. But when she walked out of his life everything started to unravel. Lucky Boy is a four-part series in which Chloe Hadjimatheou asks who gets to be a perpetrator and a victim. Gareth spent years believing he was a lucky boy. He was the 14-year-old who got the attention of the attractive young science teacher. Now, decades later, he wants the truth to come out about the damage it’s caused him. But his story is not straight forward. Thank you for listening to Lucky Boy. You can listen to more of our investigations on Tortoise Investigates. Follow the feed to be the first to hear when we release brand-new investigations. To get all our investigations early and ad-free, subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Reported and produced by: Chloe Hadjimatheou and Gary Marshall Sound design: Hannah Varrall Podcast artwork: Lola Williams Executive producer: Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Documentary
When Sarah watched her 23 year old daughter cycle away from her in Chelsea - a well-off corner of London - she had no idea it would be the last time they’d see each other for 6 years. What would make a loving child from a life of privilege sever ties with friends and family, and disappear? It turns out, Sarah wasn’t alone in losing a daughter. Something strange was happening to other young women, too. And they all had one thing in common: a kind of therapist figure - a woman they were all seeing and sharing their problems, their secrets, their fears with. But it took years for the truth of what was happening behind closed doors to emerge, and the extraordinary things this woman led them to believe. Dangerous Memories is the story of young women who wanted to be healed that became, for us, a story about the healer, and what we risk when we let someone else into our mind, and our memory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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News
The Slow Newscast from The Observer takes the news slowly. We investigate, and every week we focus on stories that really matter in the UK and around the world. From wars in Ukraine and Gaza through to true crime and injustice and real life mysteries, The Slow Newscast team is devoted to narrative investigations covering some of the biggest topics of the day. Who are the people biohacking themselves in a quest for immortality? Or the man taking on an entire nation in the high seas to protect whales? And what happened when humanity's most distant messenger fell silent? From a newsroom with a different approach to journalism these are the stories we tell. Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription: Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcastsA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Documentary
Daphne Caruana Galizia spent her career uncovering corruption at the highest levels of politics on the Mediterranean island of Malta. As an investigative journalist in this tiny, tightly-knit country her surname became redundant – she was known simply as Daphne. She stood out as a lone voice in an increasingly hostile environment. She endured arson attacks and arrests, until October 2017, when she was murdered in a car bomb attack. In this series, her son Paul Caruana Galizia, returns home to make sense of what led to his mother’s murder. But within a day of returning, events take an unexpected and momentous turn that will change the course of the murder investigation and Malta This mini-series is produced by Tortoise Studios. To learn more, go to https://www.tortoisemedia.com/audio/my-mothers-murder/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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True Crime