Marilynne Robinson’s new book 'Reading Genesis' is a profound meditation on the first book of the Bible. In it she explores both its greatness as literature and its rich articulation of themes that resonate through the whole of scripture and human history – the problem of evil, God’s relationship to humanity, the nature of creation.

In this conversation with Paula Gooder, they explore why she turned to writing about Genesis, what it tells us about the nature and the love of God and the freedom of humanity, why it matters so much as a foundational text, and what she is working on next.