Best Curtis Lawson Podcasts (2025)

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Joanne Harris: Chocolat 28:35

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2d ago28:35

28:35

Led by presenter James Naughtie, the writer Joanne Harris takes questions from a BBC Bookclub audience on her best-selling novel, Chocolat. Published in 1999, the book follows the character of Vianne Rocher, a chocolate-maker and sometime witch, who arrives in the village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes with her six-year-old daughter Anouk at the beginni…

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Natalie Haynes 28:41

30d ago28:41

28:41

Led by presenter James Naughtie, a BBC Bookclub audience in Glasgow speaks to the author Natalie Haynes about her 2019 novel - A Thousand Ships - which retells the ancient Greek myths from a woman's perspective. Penelope, Clytemnestra, Andromache and Cassandra among others, all make appearances, but their stories are given a new voice and a fresh e…

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Michel Faber 28:26

2M ago28:26

28:26

This month BBC Radio 4's Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie, speaks to the writer Michel Faber about his debut novel, Under the Skin. Published in the year 2000 by Canongate it went on to be shortlisted for the Whitbread Award that same year. The book follows the female protagonist of Isserley who roves the A9 in the Scottish Highlands looking t…

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Christopher Brookmyre 28:46

3M ago28:46

28:46

This month, Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie, speaks to the author Christopher Brookmyre, as he takes questions from a live BBC audience about his debut novel, Quite Ugly One Morning. The book is a pacey crime thriller, not so much a 'whodunnit', as a 'whydunnit', and it introduces us to the wily, wise-cracking journalist Jack Parlabane - a ch…

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Sara Collins 28:49

4M ago28:49

28:49

This month, BBC Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie, speaks to the writer Sara Collins, as she takes questions from a live audience about her award-winning debut novel, The Confessions of Frannie Langton. Sara was the Costa Book Awards First Novel Winner in 2019. She has also adapted the book for television. Producer: Dom HowellEditor: Gillian Wh…

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Richard Osman 28:29

5M ago28:29

28:29

Presented by James Naughtie, BBC Bookclub speaks to the writer Richard Osman about his crime-fiction novel The Thursday Murder Club, which sold millions of copies, and has been made into a film.By BBC Radio 4

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Alan Warner: Morvern Callar 29:31

6M ago29:31

29:31

Award-winning writer Alan Warner takes questions from Radio 4's Bookclub audience about his first-person, pacey novel, Morvern Callar, which was written in 1995 when Warner was in his late twenties. Morvern is a twenty-one year old foster-child whose life takes an irreversible turn when she discovers her boyfriend's dead body. The book was later tu…

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Carys Davies: The Mission House 28:38

7M ago28:38

28:38

The writer Carys Davies talks to readers about her beautifully-crafted novel, The Mission House, which follows the character of Hilary Byrd, a British librarian in his fifties, who is seeking to find himself again in modern-day southern India.By BBC Radio 4

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Susanna Clarke: Piranesi 27:37

8M ago27:37

27:37

Susanna Clarke won the Women's Prize for Fiction with her novel Piranesi. She joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer their questions about this intriguing, tantalising novel.By BBC Radio 4

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Ken Follett: A Column of Fire 27:43

9M ago27:43

27:43

Bestselling novelist Ken Follett joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss his historical novel A Column of Fire, the third in his hugely successful Kingsbridge series. It’s a tale of spying and intrigue, as Elizabeth I battles to keep her throne in the face of fierce religious division across Europe.…

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Ayobami Adebayo 27:47

10M ago27:47

27:47

Ayobami Adebayo talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel, Stay With Me, a moving story of loss and motherhood. Set against the backdrop of tumultuous political events in Nigeria, it tells the story of Yejide and Akin, whose marriage is childless. The novel, which is narrated by them both, explores the pressure to have a child, the toll i…

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Marlon James: A Brief History of Seven Killings 27:39

11M ago27:39

27:39

Marlon James answers readers' questions about his award-winning novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings. The novel, which is narrated by multiple characters, opens in Jamaica in the run-up to the 1976 election. Kingston is riven by violence as competing gangs, some supported by the US government, compete for territory and control of the drugs trad…

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Lucy Caldwell: These Days 27:48

1y ago27:48

27:48

Celebrated novelist and short story writer Lucy Caldwell joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss These Days. Set in 1941, it focusses on the lives of two sisters living through the Belfast Blitz. Lucy talks about the inspiration for her novel, her research and writing it during the pandemic.By BBC Radio 4

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Nicholas Shakespeare: Six Minutes in May 27:51

1y ago27:51

27:51

James Naughtie and readers quiz Nicholas Shakespeare about his book, Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister. It chronicles the dramatic political and military events of 1940 which led to the momentous Norway Debate and Chamberlain’s resignation. Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London: Wednesday 15 May …

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Clare Chambers: Small Pleasures 27:47

1y ago27:47

27:47

Clare Chambers talks to James Naughtie and readers about her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures. Set in the London suburbs in the 1950s, it tells the story of Jean Swinney, a journalist who is asked to investigate a letter sent to her paper, from a mother claiming her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean meets the mother, Gretchen; her hu…

1
Ann Cleeves: Hidden Depths 27:46

1+ y ago27:46

27:46

Bookclub travels to Northumberland to meet best-selling crime writer Ann Cleeves. She joins James Naughtie and listeners to discuss her novel, Hidden Depths: Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets out to solve two murders which are apparently linked, although there are no clues to connect the victims. Upcoming recordings - 1830 BBC Broadcasting Hou…

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Graeme Macrae Burnet: His Bloody Project 27:38

1+ y ago27:38

27:38

Graeme Macrae Burnet joins James Naughtie and readers to reveal the secrets behind his award-winning historical novel, His Bloody Project. Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1869, His Bloody Project explores crime, justice and retribution through the confessions of a young man accused of murder, and an account of his trial. Upcoming recordings at BBC…

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The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, with Elly Griffiths 27:41

1+ y ago27:41

27:41

Marking 200 years since the birth of Wilkie Collins, crime writer, and Collins admirer, Elly Griffiths discusses one of his best known works -The Moonstone - with James Naughtie and a group of readers. Upcoming recording Wednesday 24th January at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Graeme Macrae Burnet on His Bloody Project.…

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Donal Ryan: The Spinning Heart 27:41

1+ y ago27:41

27:41

Donal Ryan discusses his book The Spinning Heart with a group of readers, It's a powerful, moving novel told through twenty one individual voices. Set in Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the Celtic Tiger 'boom' years, each character reveals how the sudden and dramatic 'bust' affected their lives. At the centre is Bobby Mahon, once a respected …

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Katherine Heiny: Standard Deviation 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

Katherine Heiny answers readers questions about Standard Deviation, her hilarious novel about marriage, parenting and the road not travelled. Audra is married to Graham, who is divorced from Elspeth. While Audra is sociable, loving, outspoken, tactless, kind and funny, Elspeth is contained, reserved, controlled and reticent. Despite loving Audra, G…

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Bernardine Evaristo: Mr Loverman 27:49

1+ y ago27:49

27:49

Bernardine Evaristo joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss Mr Loverman, her 2013 novel about Barrington Walker, a married man with a secret life. Ever since his teens in Antigua, Barry has been in love with Morris and despite both men moving to London, marrying and having children, their love affair has never faltered. Now he’s in his seventie…

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Denise Mina: The Long Drop 27:25

1+ y ago27:25

27:25

James Naughtie is joined by Denise Mina to talk about her book The Long Drop. This intriguing true-crime story is set in 1950s Glasgow when notorious serial killer Peter Manuel spread fear throughout the city. The Long Drop alternates between Manuel's trial and a extraordinary night he spent with Glaswegian businessman William Watt, whose own famil…

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Mick Herron: Slow Horses 27:43

2y ago27:43

27:43

Mick Herron answers readers' questions about his novel, Slow Horses, the first in his hugely popular Slough House series. In it we meet the 'Slow Horses’ for the first time; failed spies who instead of being pensioned off, find themselves working in Slough House, near the Barbican in London. Here, they carry out menial administrative tasks of littl…

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Julian Barnes: Arthur and George 27:43

2y ago27:43

27:43

To mark our 25th anniversary, Julian Barnes returns to Bookclub. He’s answering readers' questions about his Booker-shortlisted novel Arthur and George. It's based on real events and tells the story of Arthur Conan Doyle’s campaign to overturn the conviction of a young solicitor, George Edalji, Upcoming recording: Thursday 13 July 1830 at BBC Broad…

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Mary Lawson: Crow Lake 27:32

2y ago27:32

27:32

Mary Lawson joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer questions about her novel, Crow Lake. An international bestseller, it tells the story of four siblings, orphaned by a road accident who have to find a new way to live as a family. The story is narrated by Kate, looking back at that dramatic rupture in her childhood. As she tells her …

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Sarah Winman: Tin Man 27:36

2y ago27:36

27:36

James Naughtie and readers are joined by novelist Sarah Winman, answering questions about her novel Tin Man.It's a moving and intimate portrait of three characters, Michael, Ellis and Annie. They variously fall in love, and fall out of touch, but are always deeply connected. Tin Man is a short and powerful novel about love, loss and kindness. Our n…

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Tan Twan Eng: The Garden of Evening Mists 27:52

2y ago27:52

27:52

Tan Twan Eng talks to James Naughtie and a group of readers about The Garden of Evening Mists. A lyrical novel set largely in 1950s Malay (now Malaysia), it tells the story of Yun Ling, imprisoned by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War, and Aritomo, a master gardener who once worked for the Emperor of Japan. It's a complex and moving stor…

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Nadifa Mohamed: The Fortune Men 27:46

2y ago27:46

27:46

Nadifa Mohamed joins James Naughtie and readers to talk about her award-winning novel The Fortune Men. Set in Cardiff in the 1950s, the novel is based on the real-life trial of Mahmood Mattan, a Somali seaman accused of murder. It's a powerful, moving read and a dazzling portrait of a proud, bewildered young man and his life in Cardiff's Tiger Bay.…

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Cal Flyn: Islands of Abandonment 27:36

2+ y ago27:36

27:36

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Cal Flyn about her acclaimed book, Islands of Abandonment, an exploration of places which have been reclaimed by nature. She talks about her travels to Cyprus, the Orkney Islands, First World War battlefields in France, and beyond, chronicling the fightback that plants have staged once humans have left.…

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BONUS. Charles Lawson: The top 10 reasons millennials are leaving the church 55:26

2+ y ago55:26

55:26

Two years ago, Charles Lawson, a member of the church in the UK, became troubled after watching many young people around him grow up and out of the church. Prompted to delve further into the reasons why, he found himself embarking on a faith journey of his own, tackling the hard questions facing the rising LDS generation. The result of his searchin…

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Ross King: Brunelleschi's Dome 27:49

2+ y ago27:49

27:49

Historian Ross King answers listener questions about his book Brunelleschi's Dome. An incredible story of one man's determination to build an apparently impossible structure, it's a tale of ingenuity, artistic rivalries, and single-minded obsession. Although building had started on Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore in the late thirteenth century, it…

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AJ Pearce: Dear Mrs Bird 27:33

2+ y ago27:33

27:33

James Naughtie is joined by writer A J Pearce and a group of listeners, as she answers their questions about her bestselling novel Dear Mrs Bird. Set in London in the 1940s, it’s the story of Emmy who has ambitions to be an intrepid war reporter, but instead finds herself working as a secretary on the agony aunt pages of an old-fashioned women’s ma…

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Ep. 92 - The Envious Nothing with... Curtis M. Lawson??? 2:02:12

2+ y ago2:02:12

2:02:12

In this episode, Curtis has the tables turned and is interviewed by artist, collaborator, and long-time friend Rebecca Clegg Dunski.By Curtis Lawson

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Juan Gabriel Vasquez: The Sound of Things Falling 27:52

2+ y ago27:52

27:52

Juan Gabriel Vasquez answers audience questions about The Sound of Things Falling. Set in Colombia, the novel examines the personal and private impact of the drug wars that ravaged the country during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. It's the story of a strange friendship between two men, Antonio and Ricardo, told through Antonio's eyes. He sets out to inves…

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Ep 91- Sci-fi in horror 1:16:09

2+ y ago1:16:09

1:16:09

This episode is a round table discussion about the overlap and merging of horror and science fiction. Featuring Tim Curran (Alien Horrors, Dead Sea) Jeffrey Thomas, (Boneland, Punktown), and Garrett Boatman (Stage Fright, Floaters).By Curtis Lawson

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Curtis Sittenfeld: American Wife 27:43

2+ y ago27:43

27:43

Curtis Sittenfeld answers listener questions about American Wife, a novel which follows Alice Lindgren's path from school librarian to First Lady, and is based on the life of former First Lady Laura Bush. Our next recording is at Broadcasting House in London on 13th October 2022. Juan Gabriel Vasquez will talking about his novel, The Sound Of Thing…

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Hilary Mantel - Bring Up the Bodies 27:01

2+ y ago27:01

27:01

In a special programme first broadcast in 2013, Hilary Mantel discusses Bring Up the Bodies, her second Man Booker Prize-winning novel with James Naughtie and his Bookclub audience. England, 1535. A one-time mercenary, master-politician, lawyer and doting father, Thomas Cromwell has risen from commoner to become King Henry VIII's chief adviser. He …

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Kathleen Jamie: Selected Poems 27:37

2+ y ago27:37

27:37

Bookclub travels to Edinburgh where Scotland's Makar Kathleen Jamie answers readers questions about her Selected Poems, and her writing life. Many poems here celebrate the natural world; Kathleen Jamie writes about animals and plants with a forensic and empathetic eye, often focussing on unloved and unsung creatures like daisies, spiders and frogs.…

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Kevin Barry 27:36

3y ago27:36

27:36

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, James Naughtie is joined by an in-person audience who are putting their questions to Kevin Barry, about his novel Night Boat To Tangier. It’s a darkly comic, melancholy novel about two gangsters, Maurice and Charlie, waiting in the port of Algeciras, hoping to spot Maurice’s runaway daughter. …

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S2 E10. Sulueti Kama: Fostering, adopting, and finding answers in the temple 36:53

3y ago36:53

36:53

At age 38, Sulueti Kama, after caring for a number of other people’s children over the years, realised she may not be able to have children biologically. With a strong testimony of the power of praying to the Lord in His holy temple, Sulu and her husband travelled to Tonga, the nearest temple at the time, to petition the Lord for a child. What unfo…

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Ep. 90 - A discussion with Nick Roberts 1:06:07

3y ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Nick Roberts joins me to talk about his new book THE EXORCIST'S HOUSE, his work in substance abuse advocacy, weightlifting, balancing work, passion, and family, and much more. https://www.nickrobertsauthor.com/By Curtis Lawson

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John Preston: The Dig 27:39

3y ago27:39

27:39

John Preston talks to a group of readers about his novel The Dig, a fictional take on the excavations at Sutton Hoo. Set in the summer of 1939, with war looming, the novel re-imagines this celebrated discovery of Anglo-Saxon treasure, The extraordinary finds attracted the attention of eminent professors and national museums but the original discove…

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Diana Evans 27:32

3y ago27:32

27:32

Diana Evans answers listener questions about Ordinary People, her page-turner of a novel about contemporary black middle class experience in the London of today. An absorbing tale of two couples and their family, the novel documents their struggles with identity, parenthood, sex, grief, ageing, friendship and love. Next month's book: The Dig by Joh…

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Ep. 89 - A Discussion with Barry Lee Dejasu 1:05:36

3y ago1:05:36

1:05:36

Author Barry Lee Dejasu joins me on the latest episode. We talk about writing short fiction, his debut collection BLACK CITY SKYLINE AND DARKER HORIZONS, his love for Providence, music, and more! BLACK CITY SKYLINE AND DARKER HORIZONS -https://www.hippocampuspress.com/other-authors/fiction/black-city-skyline-and-darker-horizons-by-barry-lee-dejasu…

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Ep. 88 War and Weird Fiction with David Rose 1:17:02

3y ago1:17:02

1:17:02

Author David Rose joins the show to discuss his new book Lovecraft's Iraq, his police and military experience, martial arts, discovering weird fictionBy Curtis Lawson

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Nick Harkaway 27:33

3y ago27:33

27:33

Nick Harkaway answers listener questions about his extraordinary novel Angelmaker. A blend of fantasy, thriller and adventure the novel tells the stories of a young, disillusioned clock maker Joe Spork, former spy, ninety year old Edie Bannister, and the strange events that bring them together. Next month's book: Ordinary People by Diana Evans. Ema…

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Ep. 87 - A discussion with L. Marie Wood 1:17:30

3y ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Author and educator L. Marie Wood joins me to discuss her book THE BLACK HOLE, scary paintball experiences, genre, literary education, diversity in fiction and more! L. Marie Wood Official - https://lmariewood.com/ Speculative FIction Academy - https://www.speculativefictionacademy.com/ The Black Hole by L. Marie Wood - https://www.amazon.com/gp/pr…

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S2 E9. Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr: When more is more: How context enhances our understanding of church history 59:51

3y ago59:51

59:51

The church of jesus christ of latter-day saints has a wondrous, inspiring, and sometimes puzzling history. While there are numerous miraculous events which testify of the restored gospel, and are the core pillars of many saints’ testimonies, other events can be more challenging to wrap our heads around. No one understands the complexities of histor…

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Ep. 86 - The Envious Nothing with Rebecca Clegg 1:28:55

3y ago1:28:55

1:28:55

Visual artist Rebecca Clegg, best known for her album cover work for American black metal bands, joins me to talk about painting, her first book cover, the concept of Nothing, music, and much more. Episode Links: Rebecca Clegg on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1218064587/original-oil-painting-envious-nothing Rebeca Clegg Art Facebook: https://w…

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Ep. 85 - Holmes and Horror With Simon Clark 1:29:10

3y ago1:29:10

1:29:10

Veteran author Simon Clark joins me to talk about his long career as a writer, his love of Sherlock Holmes, the skull beneath his garage, and much more!By Curtis Lawson