The Book Show
286 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsIn-depth conversations with the best fiction writers from Australia and around the world.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Celebrating 100 years of The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay, a visit to author Robert Drewe's home in Fremantle WA and YA author Veronica Roth
September 11, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBCelebrating 100 years of The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay with his granddaughter Helen Glad and children's book illustrator Julie Vivas, a visit to Australian author Robert Drewe's home in Fremantle, WA and meet US author Veronica Roth whose YA Divergent series was a bestseller.
The legacy of Peter Corris, the role of writers' festivals and UK author Matt Haig
September 04, 2018 00:00 - 54 minutes - 74.2 MBThe legacy of Australian godfather of crime, Peter Corris, who's died at 76, the the role of writers' festivals in Australia and bestselling British author Matt Haig on how writing saved his life, from the Bendigo Writers' Festival.
Comedians v Classics bonus episode: Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
August 31, 2018 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBA double dose of the windy moors in our Comedians v Classics series with Australian comedians Louisa Fitzhardinge and Kirsty Webeck taking on Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
The 2018 Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser, Irvine Welsh on Dead Men's Trousers and the Queen of Teen, Juno Dawson.
August 28, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBThe 2018 Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser talks about her winning novel The Life to Come, Irvine Welsh on his Trainspotting characters Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy and Spud who appear again in his latest novel Dead Men's Trousers, and the Queen of Teen, Juno Dawson discusses Clean her book about Lexi Volkov on her journey to being drug free.
Eddie Ayres on his first children's book, the Miles Franklin shortlist and US literary artist Yona Harvey
August 21, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWe're celebrating Children's Book Week, as Eddie Ayres talks about his first foray into children's books with Sonam and the Silence, and Perth primary school children share their favourite books. Also, a preview of the Miles Franklin shortlist and US literary artist Yona Harvey on becoming one of the first three African American women to write for Marvel comics.
Meg Wolitzer on The Female Persuasion, Arts News, VS Naipaul, journalists turned novelists, Australian Booktubers
August 14, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBUS writer Meg Wolitzer on her novel The Female Persuasion, Arts News, Vale VS Naipaul, journalists turned novelists Megan Goldin and Ben Doherty on throwing away facts for fiction, Australian Booktubers Piera Forde and Jeann Wong on talking to readers via YouTube.
Debut writers series: Robert Lukins' The Everlasting Sunday
August 10, 2018 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MB"There are things more miraculous than love." This is the first line of Robert Lukins' debut novel The Everlasting Sunday, set during the Big Freeze in 1960s England.
Emily Rodda on her novel His Name Was Walter, science in fiction with Angela Meyer and Margaret Morgan and why study creative writing?
August 07, 2018 00:00 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBAustralian author of children's and young adult fiction, Emily Rodda, on her latest novel His Name Was Walter, the latest in book news, two novels that explore the near future in neuroscience and biology with Angela Meyer and Margaret Morgan and we ask the question why study creative writing with Samantha Forge and Beejay Silcox.
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Emily Bronte, the creator of Wuthering Heights
July 31, 2018 00:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBIt's the 200th anniversary of Emily Bronte's birth, so we're embracing the windy moors of Yorkshire for this special episode dedicated to all things Emily Bronte.
Ryan O'Neill's The Drover's Wives, Charmaine Papertalk Green and John Kinsella's poetry in conversation, and a dark tour of gothic literature
July 24, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBRyan O'Neill explains why he wrote 99 different versions of Henry Lawson's short story The Drover's Wife. Also, poets Charmaine Papertalk Green and John Kinsella explore colonisation, mining and family history in their new book, and we take a tour of an exhibition of gothic literature in Melbourne.
Booker winner Michael Ondaatje, Shaun Tan, book news, and story time for adults
July 17, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBBooker winner Michael Ondaatje on Warlight, Shaun Tan tackles office life in his book Cicada, book news and the story time for adults with author Jane Rawson.
Melissa Lucashenko, AJ Betts, prison program Read Along Dads, Roald Dahl's dark side
July 10, 2018 00:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBMelissa Lucashenko's novel Too Much Lip, a glimpse into the writing room of AJ Betts, Read Along Dads is a reading program for fathers in prison and the problematic literary hero, Roald Dahl.
Man Booker winner Arundhati Roy, Christopher de Hamel and illuminated manuscripts, Comedians v Classics and a librarian's letters to books
July 03, 2018 00:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBMan Booker winner Arundhati Roy on The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Christopher de Hamel introduces some remarkable manuscripts, comedian Emily Tresidder gives a breakdown of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and US librarian Annie Spence on her break up and love letters to books.
Debut writers series: Robbie Arnott on Flames
June 29, 2018 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBHow an exploration of grief led Tasmanian author Robbie Arnott to create a strange novel featuring a chorus of voices, including a water rat.
Amy Bloom on White Houses, the science of plot, book news, and a cabaret performance from Comma Sutra
June 26, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBUS author Amy Bloom on her latest novel White Houses. Plus US cognitive scientist Vera Tobin on the science of plot and why we like surprises in fiction, book news, and Louisa Fitzhardinge performs a song from her Melbourne Cabaret Festival show Comma Sutra.
Fantasy author Raymond E Feist, sisters Rozanna and Kate Lilley, Australian authors Nick Earls and Toni Jordan and Alexis Okewow
June 19, 2018 00:00 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBFantasy author Raymond E Feist returns with the beginning of a new saga King of Ashes, sisters Rozanna and Kate Lilley discuss the legacy of their mother Dorothy Hewett's bohemian lifestyle, we eavesdrop on the final green room session with Australian author Nick Earls who talks to Toni Jordan and US author Alexis Okewow on how she became a writer.
Debut writers series: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
June 15, 2018 05:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBHolly Ringland learnt to read when she was three so perhaps it's no surprise she's now written a novel. In our debut writers podcast series Holly tells us about The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
Historian turned novelist Peter Cochrane, Nick Earls in the Green Room with John Birmingham, Suneeta Peres da Costa's novel Saudade and Maryam Azam's poetry The Hijab Files.
June 12, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBHistorian turned novelist Peter Cochrane on his book The The Making of Martin Sparrow, Nick Earls in the Green Room with fellow Brisbanite John Birmingham, Australian author Suneeta Peres da Costa's second novel Saudade which is set in Angola and Australian author Maryam Azam's debut poetry collection The Hijab Files.
Debut writers series: Tracy Sorensen's The Lucky Galah
June 08, 2018 05:00 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBThe first in our special series on Australian debut writers beginning with Tracy Sorensen's The Lucky Galah.
The Great Debate: Write What You Know
June 05, 2018 00:05 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBIn an old fashioned debate, six Australian authors battle out the proposition 'write what you know': Mark Brandi, Claire Coleman, Bram Presser, Jane Rawson, Graeme Simsion and Michelle Aung Thin.
Booker winner Howard Jacobson on Philip Roth, video games in English class, Nick Earls with Anita Heiss
May 29, 2018 00:05 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBBooker winner Howard Jacobson reflects on the writing of US author Philip Roth who died last week, we ask should video games be taught in English class and in our Green Room series Australian author Nick Earls chats with writer and Wiradjuri woman Anita Heiss.
Bonus episode! Comedians v Classics with Craig Quartermaine and Emily Tresidder
May 25, 2018 05:30 - 10 minutes - 9.62 MBHave you read Cormac McCarthy's The Road or The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde? Just in case you haven't, two comedians give you the main plot points so you can fake it in polite conversation.
Tayari Jones on An American Marriage, Nick Earls with Cory Doctorow on Green Room gossip, Eleanor Limprecht's novel The Passengers, and American linguist Ben Zimmer on the passing of Tom Wolfe
May 22, 2018 00:05 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBAn American Marriage by US writer Tayari Jones, has won a highly influential fan, with Oprah Winfrey adding it to her Book Club list for 2018, the first in our new Green Room series in which Australian author Nick Earls speaks to writers about life on the road, a look at Eleanor Limprecht's research for her novel The Passengers and US linguist on the contribution of Tom Wolfe to our lexicon.
Jane Harper and Paul Lynch discuss their writing careers, and Emily Maguire on 'problematic hero' Graham Greene
May 15, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBJane Harper discusses her enviable transition from journalist to bestselling novelist. Also, Emily Maguire on how we can relate to problematic literary heroes like Graham Greene, and Paul Lynch on the "Joycean epiphany" that inspired him to become a novelist.
Bonus episode! Comedians v Classics
May 10, 2018 17:30 - 8 minutes - 7.66 MBIn this bonus podcast, two comedians help you fake it with a couple of classics you might not have read (but think you should know about): Frankenstein and Charlotte's Web.
Literature and the #metoo movement, Jesse Andrews and Munmun, Jenny Zhang's Sour Heart and the film adaptation of Tim Winton's Breath
May 08, 2018 00:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBThe #metoo movement continues to resonate through the world of literature, with developments at the Sydney Writers' Festival and the Nobel Prize for Literature. Also, young adult author Jesse Andrews on his novel Munmun, Jenny Zhang's collection of short stories Sour Heart, and the film adaptation of Tim Winton's Breath.
In the writer's room with Rodney Hall, musicians-turned-novelists Sally Seltmann and Peggy Frew, creative couple Tim Flannery and Kate Holden, and Jennifer Mills' new novel Dyschronia
May 01, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 74 MBRodney Hall is one of Australian's most important - and unsung - writers. He takes Claire Nichols in to his writing room. Plus, Sally Seltmann and Peggy Frew on making the transition from music to writing, creative couple Tim Flannery and Kate Holden, and Jennifer Mills on her climate-change themed novel, Dyschronia.
Circe takes centre stage, Anzac books for kids, and the winner of the Vogel's Literary Award
April 24, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBCirce, from Homer's Odyssey, is thought to be the first witch in Western literature. In Madeline Miller's new novel, the sorceress takes centre stage. Also, picture books about World War One and the winner of the Vogel's Literary Award for an unpublished manuscript.
Stella Prize winner Alexis Wright, male romance writers, Gail Jones on her new novel, and books for kids
April 17, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBAlexis Wright discusses her writing career and her Stella-prize winning novel Tracker. Also, Gail Jones on her new novel The Death of Noah Glass, male romance writers, and what kids are reading.
Australian women writers in the 20th century, the Stella Prize shortlist, antipodean crime fiction, and the unsung art of indexing
April 10, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBWe explore the vocations of 20th century writers Dorothy Hewett, Ruth Park, Gwen Harwood and Christina Stead. And while we're celebrating women writers, let's check in with the shortlisted authors for the Stella Prize. Also, writing American crime fiction in the antipodes, and the unsung art of indexing.
Stanley Johnson's Kompromat, famous meals in literature, the Aurealis Awards, and what it takes to be a book critic
April 03, 2018 00:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBWhat if Russia orchestrated the Brexit vote? That's the question at the heart of Stanley Johnson's satiric, and sometimes prescient novel, Kompromat. Also, literary meals with Kate Young, what it takes to become a book critic, and the winners of the Aurealis Awards for speculative fiction.
Umbrellas in fiction, Alan Hollinghurst's The Sparsholt Affair, Gail Honeyman, and a musical treatment for Murray Bail's Eucalyptus
March 26, 2018 23:00 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBAlan Hollinghurst talks about his latest novel, The Sparsholt Affair. Also, Gail Honeyman on her hit debut novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, a musical response to Murray Bail's classic Eucalyptus and a celebration of umbrellas in fiction.
Tim Winton's new novel, children's authors Alison Lester and Jane Godwin collaborate with kids, and Stefan Merrill Block
March 19, 2018 23:00 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBTim Winton talks about place, masculinity, and his new novel, The Shepherd's Hut. Also, authors Alison Lester and Jane Godwin discuss how they worked with sick kids to create their latest book, and Stefan Merrill Block on his novel Oliver Loving.
Remembering Peter Temple and Barbara Kingsolver at Adelaide Writers' Week
March 12, 2018 23:05 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThe legacy of crime writer Peter Temple and the award-winning author of The Lacuna, The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees talks about politics, feminism, the environment and her writing process.
Michael Mohammed Ahmad's The Lebs, the rise of feminist fiction for kids, creative couples and lost Australian literature
March 05, 2018 23:05 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBLebs by Michael Mohammed Ahmad is a novel set in Western Sydney that captures the culture of the fictional Punchbowl Boys High. Also, the discovery of thousands of 'lost' Australian stories from the 19th century, three writers discuss the rise in feminist fiction for children and we go into the writing studio of creative couple Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist.
How 1922 changed literature, Ceridwen Dovey's new novel, in the writer's room with Josephine Wilson, and the history of the blurb
February 26, 2018 23:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBBill Goldstein explains how the year 1922 shaped some of history's most prominent modernist writers - T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, E.M. Forster and Virginia Woolf. Plus novelist Ceridwen Dovey on her new book, a tour of Miles Franklin winner Josephine Wilson's writing room, and a potted history of the blurb.