The TLS Podcast

This week, Anchit Sathi asks what an "author" is in the age of AI; and Keggie Carew on the world of symbiotic slime and friendly fungi.'Togetherness: Symbiosis and the hidden story of life's greatest collaboration', by Rowan HooperProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mary Beard gives us the inside track on what it's like to be a Booker Prize judge; and Russell Williams guides us through the highlights of a new season in French publishing.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look back at the poets who've shared their work with us this year.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look back at some of the year's highlights, and illuminating conversations about rest, relaxation and reading with Emily Herring and Christy Edwall. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look back at some of the year's highlights, and illuminating conversations with Joanna Kavenna and Nick Enfield.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, A. E. Stallings takes stock of Christopher Nolan's Odyssey, a  “thrilling combination of seemingly opposite tendencies”; and Sam Riviere reads us a new poem'The Odyssey', directed by Christopher Nolan'Warm War' by Sam RiviereProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we turn the page on July, here's a look back at some of the conversations from this month's episodes on The TLS Podcast.In this month's TLS Highlights, Hannah Lowe reads a new poem with a botanical theme; Claire Harman explores the self-possession and vigour of the youngest Brontë sibling; Scarlett Baron considers an attempt to cut James Joyce down to size; Carrie Cracknell discusses the delights and challenges of directing Tom Stoppard's Arcadia; and Ben Street reflects on the tricky business of artists at the cinema. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we meditate on childhood memories with TLS Ackerley Prize-winner Geoff Dyer; and Ben Street on the tricky business of artists at the cinema.'Homework', by Geoff Dyer'The Hollywood History of Art', by Christopher FraylingProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Claire Harman explores the self-possession and vigour of the youngest of the Brontë clan; and Lily Herd on musical brothers at war in a new play.'This Dark Night: The life of Emily Brontë', by Deborah Lutz'Hit Machine', by Jonathan Caren, Soho Theatre, London, until August 15Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Carrie Cracknell joins us to talk about the delights and challenges of directing Tom Stoppard's Arcadia; and Hirsh Sawhney on the empathetic brilliance of Sigrid Nunez.'Arcadia', by Tom Stoppard, Duke of York's Theatre, London, until September 12 2026'It Will Come Back to You', by Sigrid NunezProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scarlett Baron puzzles over an attempt to cut Joyce down to size; and Ian Sansom on the sobering realities of balancing the books if you want to be an artist.'A Shorter Ulysses', by James Joyce and Anthony Burgess'Making Art and Making a Living: Adventures in funding a creative life', by Mason Currey'How to Enter the Art World: After a late start, a first career, illness, raising children, a crisis of confidence/leaving it in disgust ...', by Hettie JudahProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Toby Lichtig joins us to mull over what TLS writers are reading this summer; and Hannah Lowe reads a new poem with a botanical theme.'Jamaican Forget-Me-Not', by Hannah LoweProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we continue to enjoy festival season as we listen to Toby Lichtig's conversation with Nigel Planer live from the Hay Festival. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we join Toby live from the Hay Festival where he talks to Colm Tóibín where they discuss exile and return, secrets and evasion, the avoidance of drama, and how (not) to end a story.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we join Toby live from the European Writer's Festival where he spoke to novelists Beatriz Serrano and Sulaiman Addonia. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, join us live from Hay Festival. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May has flown by — here's a listen back at some of the conversations we've had this month on The TLS Podcast.We hear from Merlin Holland on the afterlife of his grandfather Oscar Wilde, David Horspool on the luscious world of the lido, Samantha Ellis on Charlotte Brontë's relationship with material reality, and Dinah Birch finds solace in letters and diaries from the past.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Dinah Birch finds solace in letters and diaries from the past, whether they be joyous, heartbreaking or down-to-earth; John Talbot reads us his poem of a very specific corner of London. A Literary Letter for Every Day of the Year, edited by Liz Ison  The Writer’s Room: The hidden worlds that shape the books we love by Katie da Cunha Lewin  Diaries of Note: 366 lives, one day at a time, edited by Shaun Usher  St Petersburgh Mews, W2, a poem by John Talbot  Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, David Streitfeld takes us to Earthsea and the wonderful imagination of Ursula K. Le Guin; and Samantha Ellis on Charlotte Brontë's relationship with material reality.'The Word for World: The maps of Ursula K. Le Guin', edited by So Mayer and Sarah Shin'Searoad: Chronicles of Klatsand', by Ursula K. Le Guin'Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats''So Far So Good: Final Poems: 2014-2018''A Larger Reality', edited by Conner Bouchard-Roberts'Charlotte Brontë's Life Through Clothes', by Eleanor HoughtonProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is our exclusive conversation with Ed Vulliamy in full as he gives us a look at the letters between his Great-Aunt Gladys and Ezra Pound.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ed Vulliamy gives us an exclusive look at the letters between his Great-Aunt Gladys and Ezra Pound; and David Horspool dips a toe into the luscious world of the lido.'Lido Land: How Britain Learned to Make a Splash', by Tom FortProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Toby Lichtig on a constellation of new fiction; and Merlin Holland on the afterlife of his grandfather, Oscar Wilde.'The Palm House', by Gwendoline Riley'Devotions: Eight Stories', by Lucy Caldwell'The Tribe', by Michael Arditti'Lázár', by Nelio Biedermann, translated by Jamie Bulloch'You Are the Führer's Unrequited Love', by Jean-Noël Orengo, translated by David Watson'After Oscar: The Legacy of a Scandal', by Merlin HollandProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April is behind us - here's a look back at some of the conversations we've had this month on The TLS Podcast. We hear from Fiona Stafford on encounters with remarkable trees, Emily Herring on why we should all slow down a little, Emma Smith on how Shakespeare scholarship wrestles with the gaps in what we know, and Sara Wheeler on the monumental task of becoming Jan Morris’s biographer.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Russell Williams on the French writers laying down their pens; and John-Paul Stonard hails a bravura production of Bertolt Brecht.The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until May 30Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sara Wheeler reflects on monumental task of becoming Jan Morris's biographer; and Abigail Dembo reads us an intriguing new poem.'Jan Morris: A Life', by Sara Wheeler'He Wore His Leather Coat', by Abigail DemboProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Smith on how Shakespeare scholarship grapples with gaps; and Muriel Zagha admires François Ozon's noir adaptation of Camus's classic novel'Book Culture in Shakespeare's Stratford: The Quiney Connections', by Marlin E. Blaine, Lena Cowen Orlin, Robert Bearman and Alan H. Nelson'L'étranger', various cinemasProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been quite a month on The TLS Podcast, here's a listen back at some of the conversations we've had in March.We hear from Christy Edwall on the joys of being a lifelong bookworm, Sarah Lonsdale on the remarkable Clemence Dane, Julian Evans on two books exploring the link between food and war in Ukraine, and we revisit our interview with the inspirational Michael Morpurgo.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Emily Herring explains why we all need to take it a bit easier; and Ana Alicia Garza on the novelist whose ancestor inspired a Victorian classic.'In Defence of Leisure: Experiments in living with Marion Milner', by Akshi Singh'The Brain at Rest: Why doing nothing can change your life', by Joseph JebelliOliver Twist & Me: The true story of Dickens's best-loved novel', by Nicholas Blincoe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 RixThe Great Tree Story: How forests have shaped our world', by Levison WoodProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SpectorIn 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 KaretnykProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is the interview with Michael Morpurgo in full.Produced by Charlotte Pardu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 BouverieProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 DeenProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 HaddonProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 SpectorProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 McKendrickProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mary Beard dons her VR set to experience a Roman cataclysm; and Mary Hitchman on the history of humanity's fascination with the moon.'The Last Days of Pompeii: The immersive exhibition', Immerse LDN, Excel, London, until March 15'The Medieval Moon', by Ayoush LazikaniProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Nick Enfield explores the benefits of playing games - whether or not you keep score; and Mike Jakeman on how the football World Cup has got bigger and bigger.'The Score: How to stop playing someone else's game', by C Thi Nguyen'World Cup Fever: A footballing journey in nine tournaments', by Simon Kuper'The Power and the Glory: A new history of the World Cup', by Jonathan WilsonProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As January draws to a close, we take a look back through some of the conversations we have had so far in 2026. First, publisher Alessandro Gallenzi joined us to reveal how he turned literary detective and uncovered Dylan Thomas's youthful plagiarism, then Joanna Kavenna explains why she invented a game to write her new novel, Tristram Fane Saunders surveys the poetic landscape and Maria Scott talks us through her discovery of photographs of Jeanne Duval, muse and lover of Charles Baudelaire.Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Maria Scott on recently discovered photographs of Jeanne Duval, muse and lover of Charles Baudelaire; and Pratinav Anil weighs up the case for and against reparations.'Reparations: Slavery and the tyranny of imaginary guilt', by Nigel Biggar'The big payback: The case for reparations for slavery and how they would work', by Lenny Henry and Marcus RyderProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tristram Fane Saunders surveys the poetic landscape; and Toby Lichtig on a rediscovered slice of life in 1930s Berlin.'A History of England in 25 Poems', by Catherine Clarke'Rhyme and Reason: A short history of poetry and people (for people who don't usually read poetry)', by Mark Forsyth'Endless Present: Selected articles, reviews and dispatches, 2010-23', by Rory Waterman'The Privatisation of Poetry', by Andy Croft'Beautiful Feelings of Sensitive People: Screen grabs of British poetry in the 21st century', by Andrew Duncan'Berlin Shuffle', by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, translated by Philip BoehmProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Joanna Kavenna explains why she invented a game to write her new novel; how to survive life online; and a new poem.'Seven', by Joanna Kavenna'This Is for Everyone', by Tim Berners-Lee with Stephen Witt'Enshittification: Why everything suddenly got worse and what to do about it', by Cory Doctorow'How to Save the Internet: The threat to global connection in the age of AI and political conflict', by Nick Clegg'The Future', by Jesse NathanProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, publisher Alessandro Gallenzi reveals how he turned literary detective and uncovered Dylan Thomas's youthful plagiarism; and Norma Clarke on the stunning work of two 18th-century women portrait artists.'Mrs Kauffman and Madame Le Brun: The entwined lives of two great eighteenth-century women artists' by Franny Moyle Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we introduce a very festive issue; and Toby Lichtig on the puppeteers pulling the strings of this season's big productions.'The Pelican Child', by Joy Williams'The BFG', by Roald Dahl, adapted by Tom Wells RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon'Pinocchio', by Carlo Collodi, adapted by Charlie Josephine, Globe TheatreProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lily Herd heads for outer space in the company of a prodigious imagination; and Andrew Motion joins us with a wonderful new poem.'Collected Stories' by Cixin Liu, translated by John Chu, Andy Dudak et al'All that We See or Seem', by Ken Liu'Snow', by Andrew Motion Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Devoney Looser on what we don't know about Jane Austen; and Peter Swaab introduces a previously unpublished story by the great Sylvia Townsend Warner. 'Jane Austen in 41 Objects', by Kathryn Sutherland'Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: The women writers who shaped a legend', by Rebecca RomneyJane Austen and George Eliot: The lady and the radical', by Edward Whitley'Wild for Austen: A rebellious, subversive, and untamed Jane', by Devoney Looser'The Pursuit and the End', by Sylvia Townsend WarnerProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Camille Ralphs confides the highs and lows of travelling by Greyhound bus; and Alev Adil boards a train to join current night owls and bygone tourists.'Greyhound', by Joanna Pocock'Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train', by Monisha Rajesh'To the Sea by Train: The Golden Age of Railway Travel', by Andrew MartinProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Damian Flanagan explores the complex history of the Japanese masterpiece The Tale of Genji; and Miranda France on the eventful life and enduring work of Miguel de Cervantes.'The Tale of Genji', by Murasaki Shikibu'El Verano de Cervantes', by Antonio Muñoz Molina'El Cautivo', directed by Alejandro AmenábarProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.