The Observer Book Club

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

£6.99/month or £59.99/year

4 days ago • 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

On 6th October 1987, a newborn baby is found on the verge of a remote country lane in Suffolk. Police comb the area for clues and appeal for witnesses, but the mother is never found. The baby, Jess, is adopted. Journalist Lucy Greenwell has never forgotten the day when Jess was discovered. She was a child and lived nearby. For decades Lucy has wondered; what happened to Jess, and what could have driven a mother to leave her child in such an isolated place? When Lucy tracks Jess down, she finds a woman already deep in her own search for the truth, and a story far more tangled than either of them expected. What unfolds is a tale of long-held secrets and unintended consequences that spirals out of Jess’s control. Foundling is a six-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 listening A 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 - Lucy Greenwell Producer - Katie Gunning Original theme music - Tom Kinsella Sound design and additional music - Rowan Bishop Podcast artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorp Narrative editor - Gary Marshall Editor - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.6 (2701)

Documentary
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.

4.6 (781)

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.

4.6 (68)

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.

4.6 (231)

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.

4.7 (62)

News
Introducing... Hoaxed, the new series from Alexi Mostrous and Tortoise, who brought you Sweet Bobby. In 2014, two children told police a shocking story: that they were being abused by a Satanic cult; a cult headed by their father and by parents and teachers at their school in the wealthy London suburb of Hampstead. The story was a lie. But on the internet, that didn't matter. Hoaxed is an investigation into one of Britain's most serious-ever conspiracy theories. A story about a modern-day Satanic panic; about the victims whose lives were destroyed and about the conspiracists who spread the lie around the world. Oh, and it's about our hunt for the perpetrators - the people who forced the kids to lie - the ones who started it all. All 6 episodes are available now to listen for free. You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content by downloading the Tortoise audio app or subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts. Or join Tortoise as a member, where you can access more of our reporting, live events and support our work. Just visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.8 (1761)

Documentary