The TLS Podcast

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 Ogilvie

'O Brother', by John Niven

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 the life of a writer', by Stephen Marche

'The real work: On the mystery of mastery', by Adam Gopnik

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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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 Break Boundaries in the Great Outdoors', by Rachel Hewitt

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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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 de France Obsession', by Ned Boulting

'Masquerade: The Lives of Noel Coward', by Oliver Soden 

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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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 history of US poetry and the state', by Amy Paeth

'The granite kingdom: A Cornish journey', by Tim Hannigan

'Treasures of Cornwall: A literary anthology', edited by Luke Thompson 

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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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 O'Connell

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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