Bookclub Folgen

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to acclaimed Irish crime writer Tana French about her novel The Wych Elm, which was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2018, and a Best Book of 2018 by NPR, The New York Times Book Review, Amazon, The Boston Globe, LitHub, Vulture, Slate, Elle, Vox, and Electric Literature.The Wych Elm is the first stand-alone novel from the author of the Dublin Murder series – and Tana French has been celebrated by writers including Stephen King, Gillian Flynn and John Boyne.Twentysomething Toby has always thought of himself as lucky, and he’s been mostly untouched by the darker side of life, until a traumatic attack leaves him permanently changed both physically and emotionally. After returning to the family home which has always been a haven to him, he finds himself peeling back the layers of hidden secrets and trying to understand both his family history, and his own role in it. To join in future Bookclub programmes email us bookclub@bbc.co.ukPresenter : James Naughtie Producer : Allegra McIlroy Image copyright: Jessica RyanMarch's Bookclub Choice : The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion by Kei Miller (2014)

Kazuo Ishiguro, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, discusses his novel Never Let Me Go with James Naughtie and a group of invited readers.In one of the most acclaimed novels of recent years, Kazuo Ishiguro tells the story of Kathy, Tommy, Ruth and other school friends growing up in a darkly skewed version of contemporary England. Narrated by Kathy, now 31, Never Let Me Go is her attempt to come to terms with her childhood and adolescence at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School as well as the fate that always awaited her and her friends outside in the wider world. To join in future Bookclub programmes email us bookclub@bbc.co.ukPresenter : James Naughtie Producer : Dymphna FlynnFebruary's Bookclub Choice : The Wych Elm by Tana French (2018)

David Vann discusses his novel Legend of a Suicide with James Naughtie and this month's group of readers.Legend of a Suicide is an intimate and profound account of a family tragedy, told in six linked stories that deal with the complicated misunderstandings between a son and his father, and describes the love, guilt and the painful understanding that begins to come with adolescence. When it was published twelve years ago this autobiographical work of fiction was lauded as a groundbreaker; based on the events in David’s own life, and the death of his father when he was just 13, Legend of a Suicide is a tough but beautiful read. And in the novella at the heart of the book - the longest of the six sections – the reader is unlikely to forget what it's like to spend time in the loneliness of Sukkwan Island in Alaska. To take part in future Bookclubs, email bookclub@bbc.co.ukJanuary 2021's Bookclub Choice : Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005)Presenter : James Naughtie Interviewed Guest : David Vann Producer : Dymphna Flynn Studio Manager : Donald MacDonald