Bookclub Folgen

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Amor Towles about his bestselling novel A Gentleman in Moscow. The 30 year story of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov takes in the sweep of Russian history from the period just after the Russian Revolution, through the Stalinist purges, and heading towards Kruschev’s thaw – all experienced thorough the lens of Rostov’s long house arrest in The Metropol Hotel. To join in future Bookclub programmes email us: bookclub@bbc.co.ukPresenter: James Naughtie Producer: Allegra McIlroyMay’s Bookclub choice: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to award winning poet, novelist and essayist Kei Miller about his Forward Prize Winning poetry collection The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion.The collection is set on Jamaica and structured through conversations between the map maker, trying to organise and lay down history with a deep conviction of his own rational knowledge, and the rastaman, trying to explain a more spiritual way of knowing. Kei talks to James and the audience about his own multiple identities which are played out in the collection, and reveals which of these characters most represents himself... (and which of them wins the argument!).Presenter: James Naughtie Producer: Allegra McIlroyApril’s Bookclub choice: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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.uk Presenter : 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)