Two marriages, two forbidden love affairs, and the passionate search for social and sexual freedom in late 19th-century London. Publishers Penguin call The New Life by Tom Crewe ‘A brilliant and captivating debut, in the tradition of Alan Hollinghurst and Colm Tóibín' but what did our book club make of it? Kate is reporting back, with regular guest Philip Chaffee joining from New York. We'll be catching up on the discussion as well as bringing you our take on recent reads FAKE ACCOUNTS by Lauren Oyler and NORTH WOODS by Daniel Mason, as well as our recommendations for books inspired by Crewe's novel.

Booklist

Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler

The Smiley Novels by John Le Carre

North Woods by Daniel Mason

Maurice by E. M. Forster

Alec by William di Canzio

Young Bloomsbury by Nino Strachey

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant

The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant

Tom Crewe's booklist on bookshop.org.uk

Podcast episode on Young Bloomsbury

The audiobook of The New Life is read by Freddie Fox and published by Penguin Audio, available wherever you get your audiobooks

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Thanks for listening, happy reading, happy book clubbing