The TLS Podcast

By the TLS

What's The TLS Podcast about?

A weekly podcast on books and culture brought to you by the writers and editors of the Times Literary Supplement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The TLS Podcast episodes:

04.18.2024
Power Plays
As the TLS celebrates all things Shakespeare, Emma Smith goes to see Ian McKellen's larger-than-life Falstaff; plus Rana Mitter on the immense impact and lasting legacy of the Tokyo Trial. 'Player Kings: Henry IV Parts 1 and 2', by William Shakespeare,...
04.11.2024
Unjust Deserts
This week, George Berridge is at the theatre to see Brian Cox in a classic role; and Toby Lichtig on a literary scandal with tragic consequences. 'Long Day's Journey into Night', by Eugene O'Neill, Wyndham's Theatre, London, until June 8 'Bound...
04.04.2024
Time Past and Time Future
This week, environmentalist Bill McKibben joins us to talk about the latest in the fight to avert climate catastrophe; and a conversation with the brilliant novelist Hisham Matar about his new novel. 'The Exhausted Earth: Politics in a Burning World', by...
03.28.2024
Illustrated Men
This week, Suzi Feay sizes up the public intellectuals, deadbeat aristocrats, hedonistic oligarchs and hardened street soldiers of Andrew O'Hagan's panoramic new novel; and Michael Caines on the prolific and endlessly imaginative world of Ray Bradbury. 'Caledonian Road', by Andrew O'Hagan...
03.21.2024
O Pioneers!
This week, Andrew Holter takes us into the extraordinary world of Helen Keller, in her own words; and Peter Maber hails a magnificent retrospective of Yoko Ono's radical art and music. 'Autobiographies and Other Writings', by Helen Keller 'Yoko Ono: Music...
03.14.2024
Between The Sheets
This week, Miranda France contemplates the final novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; and Nicola Shulman on what women write in their diaries. 'Until August', by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, translated by Anne McLean 'Secret Voices: A Year of Women's Diaries', by Sarah...
03.07.2024
A Worm’s-eye View
This week, novelist William Boyd praises a polyphonic account of a pivotal wartime moment; and Sarah Richmond explores how we may escape ceaseless toil. ‘November 1942: An Intimate History of the Turning Point of World War II’, by Peter Englund, translated...
02.29.2024
Revivals
This week, Damon Galgut praises Diane Oliver's exceptional short stories, newly published over half a century after her death; and Rosemary Waugh on theatre director Yaël Farber's visceral engagement with Shakespearean tragedy. 'Neighbors and Other Stories', by Diane Oliver 'King...
02.22.2024
Cometh the Hour
This week, Fintan O'Toole assesses what makes Labour leader Keir Starmer tick; and Linda Kinstler on the Ukrainian writer, musician and activist Serhiy Zhadan's chronicles of life during wartime. Plus John Kinsella reads his new poem, 'Rooks'. 'Keir Starmer: The Biography',...
02.15.2024
Flights of Fantasy
This week, comedian and actor Tim Key introduces us to his new book of poetry; and Devoney Looser on the bold runaway women of early British novels. 'Chapters', by Tim Key, designed by Emily Juniper 'Gone Girls,1684–1901: Flights of feminist resistance...
02.11.2024
In Conversation with Richard Sennett
The distinguished sociologist and cultural thinker Richard Sennett was once a professional cellist and his new book, The Performer, examines the links between artistic performance, politics and the public-sphere. We were delighted to talk to him about his own experiences...
02.08.2024
All the World's a Stage
This week, a special interview with the sociologist Richard Sennett takes us from Roland Barthes to Leonard Bernstein; and Hettie Judah on two memoirs inspired by a love of 17th-century art. 'The Performer: Art, Life, Politics', by Richard Sennett 'Thunderclap: A...
02.01.2024
Splendid Isolation
This week, Sinéad Gleeson delights in the byways of Maeve Brennan's New York; and Costica Bradatan explores the enduring appeal of Henry David Thoreau. 'The Long-Winded Lady', by Maeve Brennan, with an introduction by Sinéad Gleeson 'Thoreau's Axe: Distraction and Discipline...
01.25.2024
Class Struggles
This week, Lamorna Ash goes back to school for the latest reboot of Tina Fey's Mean Girls; and Professor Eric Naiman on the challenges of teaching in the age of ChatGPT. 'Mean Girls', screenplay by Tina Fey, directed by Samantha Jayne...
01.18.2024
Energy Creation
This week, will George Berridge be convinced by the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's Poor Things? And Peter Geoghegan explores how the climate emergency is being treated in Westminster. 'Mission zero: The independent net zero review', by Chris Skidmore 'Climate capitalism:...
01.11.2024
Out Of Our Minds
This week, Charles Foster explores how psychedelic drugs are changing lives; and Alan Jenkins on the lure of the open seas. 'Ten Trips: The new reality of psychedelics', by Andy Mitchell 'Psychedelics: The revolutionary drugs that could change your life –...
01.04.2024
Turning Leaves: Dame Penelope Lively and Josephine Lively
The acclaimed novelist and her musician daughter on the joys of reading in trees, childhood gardens and what it's like to have a David Austin rose named after you. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12.28.2023
A Cure for Twixmas
A special seasonal highlights show, with contributions from novelists Anne Enright and Samantha Harvey; and James Marcus on partygoers Susan Sontag and George Steiner. 'The Wren, The Wren', by Anne Enright 'Orbital', by Samantha Harvey 'Maestros and monsters: Days & nights...
12.21.2023
Worlds of Pure Imagination
This week, Toby Lichtig goes to see the latest Roald Dahl adaptations, junior critic in tow; and Dinah Birch celebrates the enduring power of Ebenezer Scrooge. 'The Witches', at the National Theatre, London, until 27 January 2024 'Wonka', on general release...
12.14.2023
From Paris To The Prairies
This week, Lauren Elkin takes an artistic stroll in the footsteps of Gertrude Stein; and Maria Margaronis goes in search of Willa Cather deep in the Midwest. 'Gertrude Stein et Pablo Picasso: L'invention du langage', at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris,...
12.07.2023
There May Be Trouble Ahead
This week, TLS editor Martin Ivens and writer and broadcaster James O'Brien on the long decline of the Conservatives; and Muriel Zagha celebrates 75 years of Powell and Pressburger's The Red Shoes. 'The Party's Over: The rise and fall of the...
11.30.2023
Silently And Very Fast
This week, our special interview with the newest winner of the Booker Prize, Paul Lynch; and Emily Kopley on new editions of Virginia Woolf's mesmerising diaries. 'Prophet Song', by Paul Lynch 'The Diary of Virginia Woolf', in five volumes. Produced by Charlotte...
11.23.2023
Charm School
This week, Mary C Flannery explores the spells and potions of medieval magic; and Jean Wilson on the trail of the ever elusive Anne Boleyn. ‘Love spells and lost treasure: Service magic in England from the later Middle Ages to the...
11.16.2023
Back Of The Net!
On this week's show, TLS contributors on the best books of 2023; and David Horspool explores the crucial part sport has played in the evolution of Britain and Britishness. 'More than a game: A history of how sport made Britain', by...
11.09.2023
Lost In Space
This week, Samantha Harvey joins us to talk about her voyage around the earth; and Miranda France on a fascinating tour of the British archipelago. ‘Orbital’, by Samantha Harvey ‘The Britannias: An island quest’, by Alice Albinia Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted...
11.02.2023
The Handmaids' Tales
This week, James Marcus goes partying with Susan Sontag and George Steiner; and Laura Beers sheds a light on Eileen O'Shaughnessy, George Orwell's first wife. 'Maestros and monsters: Days and nights with Susan Sontag and George Steiner', by Robert Boyers 'Wifedom:...
10.26.2023
History in the Making
This week, Colin Jones explores the streets of Paris as the French Revolution grew pace; and an extract from a very special event at the British Library in celebration of Hilary Mantel. 'The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789', by Robert Darnton 'A...
10.19.2023
Finding Tongues In Trees
This week, Ruth Scurr on a magnificent biography of Claude Monet; and Fiona Stafford explores how vital trees were to Wordsworth's work. 'Monet: the restless vision', by Jackie Wullschläger 'Versed in living nature: Wordsworth's trees', by Peter Dale and Brandon C...
10.12.2023
Punching Above Their Weight
This week, Theo Zenou introduces us to the heroes of Jewish boxing; and Sophie Oliver on the development of Virginia Woolf's 'frock consciousness' . 'Stars and scars: The story of Jewish boxing in London', by Jeff Jones 'Bring no clothes: Bloomsbury...
10.05.2023
Sing, O muses!
This week, Ysenda Maxtone Graham on the women who fought their way into horticulture; and Mary Beard leads us down a Homeric rabbit hole. 'An almost impossible thing: the radical lives of Britain's pioneering women gardeners', by Fiona Davison 'Homer and...
09.28.2023
Elegies And Energies
This week, Elizabeth Lowry is impressed by a study of Hardy’s late-life love poetry; and TLS science editor Sam Graydon on his ‘mosaic’ biography of Einstein ‘Woman much missed: Thomas Hardy, Emma Hardy, and poetry’, by Mark Ford ‘Einstein in time...
09.21.2023
Back To The Future
This week, Jonathan Barnes joins us to explore the visionary work of Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale; and a wonderful conversation about literature and horticulture between Dame Penelope Lively and her daughter, musician Josephine Lively. 'The Quatermass Experiment 70th Anniversary', Nigel Kneale,...
09.14.2023
Back to School!
This week, poet Camille Ralphs explains why she submitted to WH Auden's exacting syllabus; and Toby Lichtig joins us to preview the autumn's notable fiction. 'Daydream College for Bards', by Camille Ralphs 'The Fraud', by Zadie Smith 'North Woods', by Daniel...
09.07.2023
Power Play
This week, we drop in on a conversation between Mary Beard and two former TLS editors; and Anne Enright joins us to talk about turning poet in her new novel. 'Emperor of Rome: Ruling the ancient Roman world', by Mary...
08.31.2023
To the Scriptorium!
This week, Nicola Shulman introduces the volunteer army who joined James Murray to create the OED; and John Niven on his extraordinary memoir of his brother's life. 'The Dictionary People: The unsung heroes who created the Oxford English Dictionary', by Sarah...
08.24.2023
Nevertheless, They Persisted
This week, Adam Mars-Jones on the "fractal brocade" of his semi-infinite novel series; and Amber Massie-Blomfield revisits Susan Sontag's production of Waiting for Godot in Sarajevo, thirty years on. 'Caret', by Adam Mars-Jones Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
08.17.2023
The Pursuit Of The Interesting
In the last of our summer round-ups, Gwendoline Riley stalks the streets of London in the company of Michael Bracewell; and Ruth Scurron a final work by the indomitable Janet Malcolm. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
08.10.2023
Femmes Fatales
In this week's round-up, we talk to Mary C Flannery about the continuing attraction of the irrepressible Wife of Bath; and mystery writer Nicola Upson on the unconventional life and unforgettable work of Josephine Tey. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on...
08.03.2023
Natural Passions
In the second of our summer round-ups, we revisit Richard Smyth discussing the life and the work of the naturalist Ronald Blythe; and Lucasta Miller on an extraordinary collection of commonplace books. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
07.27.2023
School's Out For Summer
In the first of our seasonal round-ups, we look back at Stephen Marche on the agonies of the writing life; and Nat Segnit dives into Adam Gopnik's survey of mastery. 'On writing and failure: Or, the peculiar perseverance required to endure...
07.20.2023
Running And Dancing Through Our Stories
This week, Kate Hext on women who have run or climbed their way through the world, despite efforts to stop them; and Alice Robb thinks about how - and why - we tell stories through dance. 'In Her Nature: How Women...
07.13.2023
Riders On The Storm
This week, cycling commentator par excellence Ned Boulting on the Tour de France of a century ago; and Peter Parker delves into the many faces of the self-styled 'Master' playwright, Noel Coward. '1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour...
07.06.2023
Take A Walk On The Wild Side
This week, AE Stallings, the new Oxford professor of poetry, on the lives of poets; and Ann Kennedy Smith considers the different faces of Cornwall. 'Sleeping on islands: A life in poetry', by Andrew Motion 'The American poet laureate: A...
06.29.2023
The Writing on The Wall
This week, Mary Beard is fascinated by an ancient graffito, and novelist Michael Hughes on the murder case that almost brought down the Irish government. A Don's Life: https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/virgil-on-pots-and-walls-blog-post-mary-beard/ 'A Thread of Violence: A Story of Truth, Invention and Murder', by Mark...
06.25.2023
The Limits of Love
Kathleen Taylor considers human personality under assault from advanced dementia. https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/alzheimer-dementia-sandeep-jauhar-dasha-kiper-susan-elkin-book-review-kathleen-taylor/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.22.2023
Long Hot Summer
In this week's bumper podcast, George Berridge assesses the legacy of Cormac McCarthy; Toby Lichtig on this summer's ideal reads; and an interview with American novelist Brandon Taylor. 'The Late Americans', by Brandon Taylor Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast....
06.18.2023
Winning On The Home Front
Owen Matthews on the triumph of the Kremlin propaganda machine https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/russia-ian-garner-jade-mcglynn-alexandar-mihailovic-alexander-etkind-book-review-owen-matthews/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.15.2023
Sauce Bolognese
This week, an exhibition of the Italian Renaissance painter Lavinia Fontana's work thrills Norma Clarke; and Kieran Setiya on Sarah Bakewell's bravura survey of the history of humanism. 'Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, rule breaker', at the National Gallery of Ireland until August...
06.11.2023
Know Thyself
Peter Thonemann on a civilization that questions its first principles. https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/the-west-naoise-mac-sweeney-book-review-peter-thonemann/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.08.2023
Hay Festival Special
This week, Lucy and Alex head to Hay, and find guest stars Eleanor Catton and Sarah Raven. Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's The TLS Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The TLS Podcast episodes:

Power Plays

Unjust Deserts

Time Past and Time Future

Illustrated Men

O Pioneers!

Between The Sheets

A Worm’s-eye View

Revivals

Cometh the Hour

Flights of Fantasy

In Conversation with Richard Sennett

All the World's a Stage

Splendid Isolation

Class Struggles

Energy Creation

Out Of Our Minds

Turning Leaves: Dame Penelope Lively and Josephine Lively

A Cure for Twixmas

Worlds of Pure Imagination

From Paris To The Prairies

There May Be Trouble Ahead

Silently And Very Fast

Charm School

Back Of The Net!

Lost In Space

The Handmaids' Tales

History in the Making

Finding Tongues In Trees

Punching Above Their Weight

Sing, O muses!

Elegies And Energies

Back To The Future

Back to School!

Power Play

To the Scriptorium!

Nevertheless, They Persisted

The Pursuit Of The Interesting

Femmes Fatales

Natural Passions

School's Out For Summer

Running And Dancing Through Our Stories

Riders On The Storm

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

The Writing on The Wall

The Limits of Love

Long Hot Summer

Winning On The Home Front

Sauce Bolognese

Know Thyself

Hay Festival Special