Bookclub

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.4 (235)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Led by James Naughtie, a group of readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

  1. 2D AGO

    Nicola Barker

    Described as a book of startling originality, the writer Nicola Barker speaks to Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie, about her 838-page epic novel, Darkmans, which was published in 2007 and shortlisted for the Booker Prize that same year. Set in the town of Ashford, Kent, the novel centres around a father and son relationship - Daniel and Kane Beede - and a jester from the court of Edward IV makes his presence known in mysterious ways. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production. Author image credit: Colin Alderman

    29 min

  2. APR 5

    Dorothy Koomson

    Led by presenter James Naughtie, the writer Dorothy Koomson takes questions from a Bookclub audience about her 2010 novel The Ice Cream Girls. The novel follows the characters of Poppy Carlisle and Serena Gorringe who are tried for the murder of predatory schoolteacher, Marcus Hansley. Poppy is jailed, while Serena is allowed to walk free, and, among other things, the novel examines how the teenagers' experiences with Marcus have far-reaching consequences. Described by the Independent newspaper as "one of the biggest selling black authors in Britain" Dorothy Koomson has been writing novels since she was thirteen years old. In 2022 she was a judge for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Author image credit: Niall McDiarmid. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    28 min

  3. MAR 1

    Alan Cumming on Alasdair Gray's Lanark

    Led by James Naughtie, this special episode of Bookclub celebrates the late Alasdair Gray's 1981 masterpiece, Lanark, at the Pitlochry Winter Words Festival, with the actor Alan Cumming, who is the voice of the new audiobook recently released by Canongate. Described by the author as 'a life in four books', Lanark follows the interwoven lives of Lanark and Duncan Thaw through the disintegrating cities of Unthank and Glasgow. The book has garnered widespread praise and critical acclaim for sitting realism and surrealism side by side and for daring to be experimental. The Guardian described the novel as "one of the landmarks of twentieth century fiction" while the Times Literary Supplement said it was "profoundly perceptive about the ways in which our society is destroying itself". This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in February. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This is a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    29 min

  4. FEB 1

    Sarah Bernstein

    The Canadian writer Sarah Bernstein speaks to a Bookclub audience about her Booker-shortlisted 2023 novel, Study For Obedience. Published by Granta, the story follows an unnamed protagonist who is moved to a remote northern country to be a housekeeper for her brother, but as soon as she arrives a series of unfortunate events occur. The novel won the Giller prize in 2023. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    35 min

  5. JAN 4

    Rónán Hession

    Presented by James Naughtie, the Irish writer Rónán Hession takes questions from a Bookclub audience on his debut novel, Leonard and Hungry Paul. The book was shortlisted for the British Book Awards Debut Book of the Year 2020 and selected as one of the 50 Great Irish Novels of the 21st Century. The story follows two single, board-game-loving men in their 30s, still living at home, as they navigate everyday life. It celebrates the ordinary, and the idea that we can learn from the people we might otherwise overlook. This recording takes place in the BBC Scotland studios in Pacific Quay, Glasgow. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    29 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Emma Thompson: Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility

    The award-winning actress Emma Thompson takes questions on Sense and Sensibility in this special episode of Bookclub to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Sense and Sensibility was Jane Austen's first novel published in 1811 when she was thirty-five years old. The book follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate their way through love and the threat of its loss. Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment. Emma Thompson won an Oscar for her screen adaptation of the 1995 film, of the same name, in which she played Elinor Dashwood. The film also starred Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood, Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars, Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon, and Greg Wise as John Willoughby. This episode was recorded at Broadcasting House, London, in August. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    37 min

  7. 11/02/2025

    Hallie Rubenhold

    Presented by James Naughtie, the writer and historian Hallie Rubenhold takes questions from a Bookclub audience on her prize-winning book The Five: The Untold Lives Of The Women Killed by Jack The Ripper. The book shines a light on Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Kate Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly who were all murdered in Whitechapel, London, in 1888. The Five won the Ballie-Gifford Prize for non-fiction in 2019. This episode was recorded at The Queen's Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    28 min

  8. 10/05/2025

    John Niven

    Led by presenter, James Naughtie, the writer John Niven speaks to Radio 4's Bookclub programme about his 2008 novel, Kill Your Friends, which is a darkly comic satire of the UK music industry, as told through the perspective of the sadistic, Steven Stelfox, an A&R executive (Artists and Repertoire) for a London record label. The year is 1997, the height of the Britpop era, and Stelfox has his eyes on promotion. This recording takes place in the BBC Scotland studios in Glasgow, Pacific Quay. Producer: Dominic Howell Editor: Gillian Wheelan It was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

    29 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.4
out of 5
235 Ratings

About

Led by James Naughtie, a group of readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    349
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Bookclub

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