After some time away, we've decided that now's the moment for some new forays into the past. Keep an eye on this feed – new episodes on the way!

In the meantime we thought we'd post one of our favourite ever interviews here. It's with the author Nikolai Tolstoy on his stepfather, the novelist Patrick O'Brian.

O'Brian was a writer of great gifts. His depiction of the late Georgian world is regarded as being very nearly as vivid as Jane Austen's. But who was he really? Where did he get his inspiration from? How did he treat those closest to him? Tolstoy, who knew Patrick as well as anyone alive, answers these questions.

We hope you enjoy this episode. Happy 2026 and more soon!