The Book Club, hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett, brings the historical context behind famous books to life. Each week, the hosts explore a classic or contemporary title, unpacking the world in which it was written and the story behind its author. This is not your typical literature podcast: The Book Club educates AND entertains, leaving you knowing some of the greatest stories ever told.
Episodes
40. Master And Commander: The History Behind the Epic
Are the Master And Commander novels as good as the film? Why was there so much mystery surrounding the life of author Patrick O’Brian? And, why did the series initially struggle to take off?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Master And Commander, and the world it was born of.
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39. Catcher In The Rye: JD Salinger’s American Rebel
Did ‘The Catcher In The Rye’ create modern youth culture? What made JD Salinger’s writing so unique? And, how was the novel rooted in Salinger’s service in the Second World War?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Catcher In The Rye, and the world it was born of.
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38. The Truth Behind Stephen King’s The Shining
How did Stephen King's stay in a ghostly hotel in Colorado inspire The Shining? Is Stanley Kubrick's iconic movie a faithful adaptation? And, is King a good writer?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Shining, and the world it was born of.
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37. Dostoevsky’s Russian Masterpiece: White Nights
Who was Fyodor Dostoevsky? Was White Nights his masterpiece? And, how did the world of 19th century Russia influence his writing?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of White Nights, and the world it was born of.
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36. The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath’s Tragedy
How did the paranoia of 1950s McCarthyist America shape Sylvia Plath? Why was The Bell Jar the poet's only novel? And, what was the truth of her relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Bell Jar, and the world it was born of.
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35. Goldfinger: The Ultimate James Bond Novel
Why did James Bond appeal to 1950s Britain? Is Goldfinger hopelessly out of date? And, who really inspired the titular villain?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Goldfinger, and the world it was born of.
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34. American Psycho: Murder, Trump, and New York City
Why was the book so heavily censored on publication? Is the novel gratuitously violent? And, what happened when Tabby met Bret Easton Ellis?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of American Psycho, and the world it was born of.
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33. Jane Eyre: The Best Brontë Novel?
Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Brontë? And, what social critiques lie in the heart of the novel?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Jane Eyre, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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32. A Month In The Country: Is This The Greatest Novella Ever Written?
How did the First World War affect the British soldier survivors? Is this pastoral novella one of the UK's best books? How did J L Carr's Yorkshire upbringing impact the setting and tone of the story?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Month In The Country, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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31. Lord Of The Flies: Survival Of The Fittest
How did William Golding’s experience in the Second World War inspire Lord Of The Flies? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what does it say it about the fragile nature of society?
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Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the
30. Lolita: Nabokov’s Twisted Masterpiece?
Who was Vladimir Nabokov? Why is Lolita so controversial? And, what was the reaction to its publication?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the story behind Lolita, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
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29. Rebecca: Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic Epic
How did Daphne du Maurier use her own experience to write the chilling events of Rebecca? Who is the sinister Mrs Danvers? And, what really happened to Rebecca?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Rebecca, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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28. Hemingway’s Spanish Civil War: For Whom The Bell Tolls
How did the Spanish Civil War inspire one of Ernest Hemingway’s greatest novels? Why was Hemingway so captivated by Spain? And, were the characters of For Whom The Bell Tolls inspired by real people?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the context behind Hemingway's writing, and the world of For Whom The Bell Tolls.
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27. Brave New World: The Dystopia That Came True?
How does Aldous Huxley satirise roaring twenties America? Is a Brave New World more realistic than 1984? And, what is the novel's Shakespearean connection?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Brave New World, and the novel itself.
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26. Mafia and Mystery: Is ‘My Brilliant Friend’ the Greatest Novel of the Century?
What does My Brilliant Friend tell us about the dark underbelly of Italian society after the Second World War? Who is the mysterious Elena Ferrante? And, how did she craft a heartbreaking parable of escape and love?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind My Brilliant Friend, and the world it was born of.
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25. The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond
How did the First World War inspire The 39 Steps? Why did John Buchan set the novel in Scotland? And, is the dashing protagonist Richard Hannay, a model for later Spy heroes?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The 39 Steps, and the world it was born of.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommend
24. Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate Summer Reading List
Which books should you take on your summer holiday? How have some of Dominic and Tabby’s favourite destinations shaped these novels? And, what makes a summer classic?
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
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23. The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth
How does Madeline Miller re-work Greek mythology to explore women’s experience? Is Circe the best fantasy novel of the 2010s? And, why do we remain captivated by the world of ancient Greece?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Circe, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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22. The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever Written?
How did Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s family story shape his only novel, The Leopard? Why is The Leopard considered an Italian masterpiece? And, who is the sexiest man ever written?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Leopard, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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21. The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story Became An Icon
How did Kenneth Grahame come up with the idea for The Wind In The Willows? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what character would Tabby and Dominic be?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Wind In The Willows, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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20. Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind A Song of Ice and Fire
What real-world historical events and figures inspired the political conflicts in Westeros? Is George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones better than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? And, is it likely that George R.R. Martin will ever finish the A Song of Ice and Fire series?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Game of T
19. Little Women: The Secret Sadness of a Classic
How did Louisa May Alcott break social and literary conventions? Is Little Women the first coming of age story in a novel? And, what do Tabby and Dominic think of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaption?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Little Women, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalh
18. The Code Of The Woosters: The Funniest Book Ever Written?
How did P.G. Wodehouse become one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century? Why have Jeeves and Wooster become such an iconic pairing? And, did P.G. Wodehouse collaborate with the Nazis?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Code Of The Woosters, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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17. Oscar Wilde's Downfall: The Picture of Dorian Gray
How did the anxieties of late-Victorian Britain inspire Dorian Gray? Which real people lay behind the characters of Dorian Gray? What were the French Decadents, and how did they influence Wilde?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Picture of Dorian Gray, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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16. The Hunger Games: Rebellion and Violence In Dystopian America
What does The Hunger Games say about the state of modern America? How did reality TV inspire The Hunger Games? Why did Suzanne Collin's novel become such a sensation with young adults?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Hunger Games, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
15. Mrs Dalloway: Woolf, Sexuality, and Change
What does Mrs Dalloway express about female sexuality and experience? Why did its modernist style cause such controversy? And, what was Virginia Woolf really like?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Mrs Dalloway, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
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14. Beloved: Memory, Morrison, and Modern American Fiction
Who is Beloved, and what is the true historical story that inspired the novel? How does Toni Morrison use magical realism to explore the horror of Slavery? Why has Beloved become such a monumental piece of American fiction?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Beloved, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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13. The Woman In White: Victorians, Sensation, and Scandal
How did Wilkie Collins craft one of the earliest examples of detective fiction? What does The Woman In White reveal about the Victorian society? And, why did the novel cause such a sensation?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Woman In White, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalh
12. A Court of Thorns and Roses: ''Fairy Smut'' or Fantasy Sensation?
How was ACOTAR inspired by traditional folklore? Why has the novel become such a mass sensation? And, what is Romantasy?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Court Of Thorns and Roses, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
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11. The Hound of the Baskervilles: Mystery, Folklore, and Sherlock Holmes
The Hound of the Baskervilles: Mystery, Folklore, and Sherlock HolmesWhat is the true story that inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's best-seller? Why have there been so many portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in media beyond the novels? Is this the greatest Sherlock story ever told?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The
10. East Of Eden: Steinbeck, Sin, and Redemption
Why did Steinbeck consider East of Eden his magnum opus? What does the novel reveal about human nature? How did Steinbeck interrogate early 20th century American society?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of East Of Eden, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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9. Normal People: Class, Ireland, and Heartbreak
Is Sally Rooney's hit novel really a love story? How does class division impact the love Marianne and Connell feel for each other? Is Rooney creating a relatable story of miscommunication during first loves, or a tale of heartbreak and loss?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Normal People, the world it was born of, and the n
8. Northern Lights: Dogma, Destiny, and Dæmons
To what extent is Pullman’s novel a critique of organised religion? How was Northern Lights inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost? And, did Northern Lights reshape the landscape of modern children's literature?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Northern Lights, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
You can order a
7. Frankenstein: Horror, Humanity, and Hubris
Did Mary Shelley create the first true science fiction novel? Is Frankenstein a philosophical fable? How did Frankenstein inspire countless more horror stories?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Frankenstein, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
You can order Frankenstein and explore our favourite Folio books
6. The Secret History: Dark Academia, Greek Myth, and Murder
How does Donna Tartt combine gothic academia and greek mythology in her captivating debut novel? What do the characters tell us about the dark side of human nature? And, did her own university experience influence the story?
Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett discuss all this and more in this week's episode on The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
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5. Nineteen Eighty-Four: Big Brother, Surveillance, and Fear
Why is 1984 as relevant today as when it was published? Who is Big Brother, and why is he so powerful? What was George Orwell's intention when creating the world of 1984, and what does it tell us about politics today?Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of 1984, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
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4. Hamnet: Love, Grief, and Motherhood
How does Maggie O'Farrell create the historical figures of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, in her novel Hamnet? What does the film adaptation starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley do differently to the book? How do the themes of fate and loss affect the characters and the reader?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the w
3. The Great Gatsby: Old Money, Murder, and the American Dream
Was Daisy Buchanan, the object of Jay Gatsby’s obsessive love in the novel, inspired by the author’s own love life? What window does The Great Gatsby open onto 1920s America, with its Jazz, flappers, and bootlegging? Who was F. Scott Fitzgerald, the man behind one of the most iconic novels in all literature?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behi
2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro: Cloning, Free Will, and Soulmates
What inspired Kazuo Ishiguro’s timeless story about mortality, growing up, and the human condition? How are its characters so relatable, and yet entirely unique? And, why does the dark secret at its heart challenge scientific innovation?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the story behind Kazuo Ishiguro's literary masterpiece, the context in which it was written, and
1. Wuthering Heights: Passion, Violence, and Revenge on the Moors
Why does Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights, have such an enduring romantic association? Is Heathcliff a romantic lead, or an abusive antihero? Are the characters aspirational in any way, or irredeemable?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they discuss all this and more.
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The Book Club - Trailer
Do you want to learn more about some of the greatest stories ever told? Join Dominic Sandbrook, co-host of The Rest Is History, and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the world of literature.
Each week, our hosts look at either a contemporary or classic title, bringing the historical context behind these famous books to life. This is not your typical literature podcast: The Book Club educates
