Backlisted

By Backlisted Podcast

Arts

What's Backlisted about?

A regular podcast presented by Unbound's John Mitchinson and Andy Miller (author, The Year Of Reading Dangerously) a/k/a Leavis and Butthead. Bringing old books back to the surface.

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LAST EPISODE

The Compleet Molesworth by ...

11.23.2020

The Compleet Molesworth (1958) by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle is the beloved book we're celebrating in this special fifth birthday episode of Backlisted cheers cheers. Joining John and Andy to discuss some of the funniest and most influential fictional ...

Backlisted episodes:

11.23.2020 The Compleet Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans & Ronald Searle The Compleet Molesworth (1958) by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle is the beloved book we're celebrating in this special fifth birthday episode of Backlisted cheers cheers. Joining John and Andy to discuss some of the funniest and most influential fictional ...
11.09.2020 Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius (1977) by Terrance Dicks is the much-loved book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss the life and career of a hugely influential and prolific author - and ...
10.26.2020 Beowulf It's our Hallowe'en special ! For this year’s Hallowe’en episode our subject is the Old English poem, Beowulf, composed somewhere in England more than a thousand years ago. The atmospheric tale of supernatural monsters and human heroes has inspired scores ...
10.12.2020 Silence by Shūsaku Endō Silence (1966) is Shūsaku Endō’s masterpiece, a novel set in 17th Japan, following two Portuguese Jesuits posted there to search for their former teacher, who is feared to have abandoned his faith. Joining John and Andy to discuss this intense ...
09.28.2020 The Odd Women By George Gissing George Gissing's The Odd Women (1893) is the groundbreaking book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this fascinating, proto-feminist novel - and the incident-packed life of its prolific author - are novelist and biographer ...
09.14.2020 Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola Thérèse Raquin (1868), the third novel by French writer Émile Zola, is the book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss the sensational and still shocking founding text of Naturalism are the novelists Rachel Joyce ...
08.31.2020 I, Lalla: The Poems of Lal Dĕd I, Lalla: The Poems of Lal Dĕd, translated by Ranjit Hoskote, is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this modern rendering of the poetry (or 'vakhs') of the 14th-century Kashmiri saint and mystic ...
08.17.2020 Summer Reading 2020 It's a summer reading episode of Backlisted. We are showcasing books John, Andy and the show's producer Nicky have been reading during lockdown. These include A Helping Hand by Celia Dale; A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid; A Boy in ...
08.03.2020 The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) is the groundbreaking book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this influential study of philosophy, psychology and faith - and the life and beliefs of its ...
07.20.2020 How to Cook a Wolf by M.F.K. Fisher How to Cook a Wolf (1942) by the inimitable M.F.K. Fisher is the book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to heed this call to culinary arms, written at a time of national crisis and thus ...
07.06.2020 The Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith The Diary of a Nobody (1892) by George and Weedon Grossmith is the book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to celebrate this touching and funny classic of suburban manners, first published in 1892 and never ...
06.22.2020 The Inheritors by William Golding William Golding's second novel The Inheritors (1955) is the book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to explore this intense, visionary account of the fall of Neanderthal man, published just a year after Lord of the ...
06.08.2020 The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy Margaret Kennedy's bestselling novel The Constant Nymph (1924) is the book featured in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this tale of romance, passion and bohemianism - and the chequered career of its author - is ...
05.25.2020 Frost in May by Antonia White Antonia White's debut novel Frost in May(1933) is the book under discussion in this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this powerful story of religion and adolescence - and the troubled life of its author - are ...
05.11.2020 The World According to Garp by John Irving John Irving's fourth novel The World According to Garp (1978) is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to explore this unlikely bestseller and discuss its contemporary relevance are author Nikita Lalwani (You People) and novelist ...
04.26.2020 The Journal of a Disappointed Man by W.N.P. Barbellion W.N.P Barbellion's The Journal of a Disappointed Man, first published in 1919, is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss this remarkable book are novelist Claire Fuller and nature writer Will Atkins. In addition, ...
04.12.2020 Excellent Women by Barbara Pym We're back! Barbara Pym's second novel Excellent Women, first published in 1952, is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss it are Pym aficionados and literary agents Becky Brown and Norah Perkins from Curtis ...
03.31.2020 Locklisted - March 27th 2020 Locklisted is John Mitchinson and Andy Miller, the hosts of Backlisted, and their producer Nicky Birch, chatting about books, films, TV, music etc. and generally giving new life to old pubs. It was recorded on March 27th 2020. For obvious ...
03.23.2020 Locklisted - March 20th 2020 Locklisted is John Mitchinson and Andy Miller, the hosts of Backlisted, and their producer Nicky Birch, chatting about books, films, TV, music etc. and generally giving new life to old pubs. It was recorded on March 20th 2020. For obvious ...
03.02.2020 Locklisted - Feb 28th 2020 Locklisted is John Mitchinson and Andy Miller, the hosts of Backlisted, and their producer Nicky Birch, chatting about books, films, TV, music etc. and generally giving new life to old pubs. It was recorded round the corner from The Wenlock ...
01.27.2020 Locklisted - Jan 17th 2020 Locklisted is John Mitchinson and Andy Miller, the hosts of Backlisted, and their producer Nicky Birch, chatting about books, films, TV, music etc. and generally giving new life to old pubs. It was recorded at The Wenlock Arms, a pub ...
12.25.2019 A La Recherche du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust Marcel Proust's A La Recherche du Temps Perdu AKA In Search of Lost Time is the subject of this bumper Christmas special episode, which was recorded live at the London Library on December 11th 2019. Joining John and Andy are ...
12.09.2019 Riceyman Steps by Arnold Bennett Arnold Bennett's 1923 novel Riceyman Steps is the subject of this episode. Joining John and Andy to discuss it are journalist Charlotte Higgins and novelist Kit De Waal. In addition, John has been reading The Northumbrians by Dan Jackson while ...
11.25.2019 Edith's Diary by Patricia Highsmith Patricia Highsmith's novel Edith's Diary (1977) is the book under discussion. John and Andy are joined by writers Karen McLeod and John Grindrod. Plus Andy has been reading Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Stuttering ...
11.11.2019 The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald W.G. Sebald's book The Rings of Saturn, first published in Germany in 1995, is the subject of this episode. Joining John and Andy to walk around this enigmatic masterpiece are the writer and swimmer Philip Hoare and the novelist Jessie ...
10.28.2019 The Breaking Point by Daphne du Maurier It's Halloween! Daphne du Maurier's The Breaking Point AKA The Blue Lenses is a collection of psychological horror stories that was first published in 1959. Joining John and Andy to discuss it are academic and du Maurier expert Dr Laura ...
10.14.2019 Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner Absalom, Absalom! is the subject of this episode and William Faukner's ninth novel first published in 1936. Returning to Backlisted as our guest is Professor Sarah Churchwell. Also under discussion are Sweet Home, a book of short stories by Wendy ...
09.30.2019 The Soul of Kindness by Elizabeth Taylor Novelist Elizabeth Taylor is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining Andy and John to discuss The Soul of Kindness (1964) - and much more besides - are author and founder of Virago Press Carmen Callil and journalist and ...
09.16.2019 Of Walking in Ice by Werner Herzog Filmmaker Werner Herzog's journal Of Walking in Ice is the subject of this episode, recorded at the End of the Road festival at Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset on September 1st 2019. Joining John and Andy is writer and critic ...
09.02.2019 The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton Philip Pullman is our guest on the 100th episode of Backlisted. John, Andy and Nicky travelled to Oxford for this special episode devoted to Robert Burton's extraordinary 1400-page The Anatomy of Melancholy, first published in 1621 and described by Sir ...
08.19.2019 Books about The Beatles Books about the Beatles are the subject of this special episode recorded at Cornwall's Port Eliot festival on July 27th 2019. Joining John and Andy for this celebration of all things fab are lifelong Beatles fans, journalists and authors David ...
08.05.2019 Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban Russell Hoban's extraordinary novel Riddley Walker (1980) is the subject of this episode recorded live at the Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall on Friday July 26th 2019. Joining John and Andy to discuss the book are Max Porter, author of ...
07.22.2019 The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury's uncanny tales are the subject of this episode of Backlisted. John and Andy are joined by author and literary editor of The Spectator Sam Leith and writer and radio presenter Jennifer Lucy Allan. Also under discussion are Jay ...
07.08.2019 Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson, a bestseller when first published in the 1930s, is the novel under discussion. Joining John and Andy is novelist and teacher of creative writing Shelley Harris. Also featured in this episode, Marc Hamer's memoir ...
06.24.2019 The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino Italo Calvino's third novel The Baron in the Trees (Il barone rampante) is the subject of this episode. Joining John and Andy to discuss the book is writer and fabulist Caspar Henderson. Elsewhere, John is captivated by Some Kids I ...
06.10.2019 The Prince of West End Avenue by Alan Isler Alan Isler's debut novel The Prince of West End Avenue (1994) is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining Andy and John to discuss it are novelist William Sutcliffe and playwright and bibliomemoirist Samantha Ellis. Other books talked about ...
05.27.2019 Beloved by Toni Morrison Award-winning novelist Preti Taneja (We That Are Young) joins John and Andy to discuss Beloved by Toni Morrison, one of the greatest American novels of the last half century. Other books featured on this episode are It's Gone Dark Over ...
05.13.2019 The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards John and Andy are joined by writer and actor Will Smith for a special episode recorded live at the Guernsey Literary Festival on Sunday May 5th 2019. The novel under discussion is G.B. Edwards's unique The Book of Ebenezer Le ...
04.29.2019 A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe's A Journal of the Plague Year (1722) is the subject of this episode of Backlisted, recorded in the week of the 300th anniversary of the publication of Robinson Crusoe. Joining John and Andy to discuss the book - ...
04.15.2019 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Charles Dickens's late masterpiece Great Expectations is the subject of this episode of Backlisted. Joining John and Andy to discuss the book (and its celebrated author) are journalist and editor William Atkins and returning guest, novelist Lissa Evans. Also in ...
04.01.2019 Last Train to Memphis/Careless Love by Peter Guralnick Elvis Presley is the subject of this episode of Backlisted, care of Peter Guralnick's twin biographies Last Train to Memphis (1994) and Careless Love (1999). Joining John and Andy to discuss these remarkable books are novelists David Keenan and Bethan ...
03.18.2019 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald Penelope Fitzgerald's fourth novel Human Voices (1980) is set at the BBC during the early months of the Second World War. Joining John and Andy to discuss the book, and Penelope Fitzgerald's life and work, are publisher and editor George ...
03.04.2019 Utz by Bruce Chatwin This episode is about Utz, Bruce Chatwin's final novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1988. John and Andy are joined by writer and journalist Jonathan Wilson and Unbound's editor-at-large Rachael Kerr, who worked for Chatwin's publisher Jonathan Cape and ...
02.18.2019 The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West On this episode John and Andy are joined by novelist and critic Amanda Craig and novelist and memoirist Alice Jolly to discuss Rebecca West's debut novel The Return of the Soldier, published in 1918 when West was still in her ...
02.04.2019 Hemlock and After by Angus Wilson John and Andy are joined by writer, dandy and erstwhile musician Dickon Edwards to discuss Hemlock and After, Angus Wilson's debut novel, originally published in 1952. Wilson was considered one of the preeminent writers of his days but both his ...
01.21.2019 Imogen by Jilly Cooper John and Andy are joined by author and podcaster Daisy Buchanan and poet and lecturer Dr Ian Patterson to discuss Imogen, Jilly Cooper's 1978 novel of a young librarian finding romance - and all that goes with it - amongst ...
01.07.2019 The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence In our first podcast of 2019 we tackle D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow, a novel that has divided opinion since it was first published (and banned) in 1915 - and sure enough opinion was divided between John and Andy on this ...
12.25.2018 Books Do Furnish a Room by Anthony Powell John and Andy are joined by novelist Philip Hensher and biographer Hilary Spurling for a discussion of Books Do Furnish a Room by Anthony Powell, first published in 1971, the tenth instalment of A Dance to the Music of Time. ...
12.10.2018 Harpo Speaks! by Harpo Marx with Rowland Barber John and Andy are joined by Dan Schreiber, writer, producer and co-host of the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast, to discuss Harpo Marx's autobiography Harpo Speaks! (1961). Also discussed are titles by Neil Tennant, Alice Jolly, Penelope Fitzgerald ...
11.26.2018 The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins Andy and John are joined by Carmen Callil, publisher, writer and critic and founder of Virago Press, to discuss The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins, a novel first published in 1954 and then republished by Carmen in the ...

Older episodes

Backlisted

What's Backlisted about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Backlisted episodes:

The Compleet Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans & Ronald Searle

Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius by Terrance Dicks

Beowulf

Silence by Shūsaku Endō

The Odd Women By George Gissing

Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola

I, Lalla: The Poems of Lal Dĕd

Summer Reading 2020

The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James

How to Cook a Wolf by M.F.K. Fisher

The Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith

The Inheritors by William Golding

The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy

Frost in May by Antonia White

The World According to Garp by John Irving

The Journal of a Disappointed Man by W.N.P. Barbellion

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym

Locklisted - March 27th 2020

Locklisted - March 20th 2020

Locklisted - Feb 28th 2020

Locklisted - Jan 17th 2020

A La Recherche du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust

Riceyman Steps by Arnold Bennett

Edith's Diary by Patricia Highsmith

The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald

The Breaking Point by Daphne du Maurier

Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner

The Soul of Kindness by Elizabeth Taylor

Of Walking in Ice by Werner Herzog

The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton

Books about The Beatles

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson

The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino

The Prince of West End Avenue by Alan Isler

Beloved by Toni Morrison

The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards

A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Last Train to Memphis/Careless Love by Peter Guralnick

Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald

Utz by Bruce Chatwin

The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West

Hemlock and After by Angus Wilson

Imogen by Jilly Cooper

The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence

Books Do Furnish a Room by Anthony Powell

Harpo Speaks! by Harpo Marx with Rowland Barber

The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins

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