English literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers.  Today we’re asking: is English literature dying? The New Statesman’s deputy editor Will Lloyd is joined by the New Statesman’s new culture editor Tanjil Rashid and columnist and critic James Marriott. READ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/book-of-the-day/2025/06/stefan-collini-review-english-literatures-last-stand" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English literature's last stand</a> - James MarriottLISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday JOIN US:⭐️ <a href="https://secure.newstatesman.com/subscribe2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get full access to all our reporting and analysis</a> with a print + digital subscription <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

English literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers. Today we’re asking: is English literature dying? The New Statesman’s deputy editor Will Lloyd is joined by the New Statesman’s new culture editor Tanjil Rashid and columnist and critic James Marriott. READ English literature's last stand - James Marriott LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday JOIN US: ⭐️ Get full access to all our reporting and analysis with a print + digital subscription Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers.&nbsp; Today we’re asking: is English literature dying? The New Statesman’s deputy editor Will Lloyd is joined by the New Statesman’s new culture editor Tanjil Rashid and columnist and critic James Marriott. READ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/book-of-the-day/2025/06/stefan-collini-review-english-literatures-last-stand" rel="noopener noreferrer">English literature's last stand</a> - James MarriottLISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday JOIN US:⭐️ <a href="https://secure.newstatesman.com/subscribe2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get full access to all our reporting and analysis</a> with a print + digital subscription Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Is English literature dying - and does it matter?

Helping you make sense of politics, culture and world affairs – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On the podcast, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. But the story doesn’t stop at Westminster. Each week we take you around the globe, covering world news and international current affairs — from the war in Ukraine and the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, to Russia under Vladimir Putin, to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the impact of Donald Trump on American and international politics. Our interviews bring leading thinkers and cultural figures into the conversation, while our Saturday episodes explore books, literature, film and wider culture. Whether you want to stay on top of UK news, understand the shifts in global politics, or dive into the ideas that drive our culture, the New Statesman podcast is your essential daily listen. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- <h3>Host:</h3>Anoosh Chakelian <h3>Regular contributors and co-hosts:</h3>Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writer <h3>Production team:</h3>Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareExecutive producer: Chris Stone<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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Helping you make sense of politics, culture and world affairs – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On the podcast, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. But the story doesn’t stop at Westminster. Each week we take you around the globe, covering world news and international current affairs — from the war in Ukraine and the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, to Russia under Vladimir Putin, to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the impact of Donald Trump on American and international politics. Our interviews bring leading thinkers and cultural figures into the conversation, while our Saturday episodes explore books, literature, film and wider culture. Whether you want to stay on top of UK news, understand the shifts in global politics, or dive into the ideas that drive our culture, the New Statesman podcast is your essential daily listen. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- JOIN US: ⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Host:Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Will Lloyd, Deputy editor Andrew Marr, Political editor George Eaton, Senior editor, politics Hannah Barnes, Associate editor Rachel Cunliffe, Associate political editor Will Dunn, Business editor Megan Gibson, Foreign editor Katie Stallard, Global affairs editor Tanjil Rashid, Culture editor Kate Mossman, Senior writer Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Video producer: Rob Le Mare Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helping you make sense of politics, culture and world affairs – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On the podcast, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. But the story doesn’t stop at Westminster. Each week we take you around the globe, covering world news and international current affairs — from the war in Ukraine and the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, to Russia under Vladimir Putin, to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the impact of Donald Trump on American and international politics. Our interviews bring leading thinkers and cultural figures into the conversation, while our Saturday episodes explore books, literature, film and wider culture. Whether you want to stay on top of UK news, understand the shifts in global politics, or dive into the ideas that drive our culture, the New Statesman podcast is your essential daily listen. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Host:Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writer Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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Is English literature dying - and does it matter?

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