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Opening Lines

BBC Radio 4
The Raiders
Daphne Du Maurier
The Trial
S.R. Crockett
Franz Kafka
1715
Robert Burns
Hermann Hesse
Siddhartha
Heart Of Darkness
The Shell Seekers
Patrick Heron
May Maxwell
Scotland
Tam O'shanter
Scottish Identity
Counterculture Of the 1960s
Cane
Don't Look Now
The Little Photographer

Producer and writer John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact behind the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes116Founded3 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for Opening Lines

Latest Episodes

In this second episode, John Yorke assesses the criticism levelled against James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel The Last of the Mohicans - primarily that it is responsible for the widely held, inaccurate, view that indigenous Americans were inevitably ... more

Published in 1826, the American writer James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans is set during the French and Indian War, in 1750s North America. The story follows a group of British colonists trying to cross frontier land – and examines... more

Ian Sansom, sitting in for John Yorke, takes a look at Joy In the Morning, the 44th Jeeves and Wooster novel by PG Wodehouse. Published in 1946, it revolves around Bertie Wooster’s attempts to avoid a series of social and romantic calamities. The omn... more

John Yorke explores the revolutionary techniques developed by Jane Austen in Sense and Sensibility and uncovers why her work is so endlessly adaptable to modern tastes.

Austen innovated ‘free indirect style’, which blends third person narration wit... more

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Recent Guests

Natalie Haynes
Writer and classicist who is a fan of Goldman's novel and film adaptation
Episode: The Princess Bride
Stephen Keyworth
Writer and director who adapted The Princess Bride for radio.
Episode: The Princess Bride
Rebecca Romney
Author of Jane Austen's Bookshelf
Episode: Northanger Abbey - Episode One
Emma Clery
Editor of the 2008 edition of The Castle of Otranto.
Episode: The Castle of Otranto
Marina Lewycka
Author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
Episode: A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
Simon Russell Beale
Actor known for playing Lopakhin in a 2009 production of The Cherry Orchard
Theatrical Productions
Episode: The Cherry Orchard - Episode Two
Benedict Andrews
Director of a production of The Cherry Orchard at The Donmar Warehouse in London in 2024
The Donmar Warehouse
Episode: The Cherry Orchard - Episode Two
Rosamund Bartlett
Chekhov's biographer and translator
Episode: The Cherry Orchard - Episode Two
Janine di Giovanni
Award-winning war reporter and CEO of The Reckoning Project
Episode: Hiroshima

Host

John Yorke
Producer and writer with 30 years of experience in television and radio, focusing on literature and drama.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Skip it

    Don’t you hate movie reviews that simply summarize the plot, spoilers and all? Well, usually that’s what happens in Opening Lines. Sigh

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nitram99
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics feel the content often summarizes plots excessively, detracting from insightful analysis. Many listeners desire more in-depth discussions rather than plot recaps.
Some appreciate the variety of perspectives presented in each episode, particularly when experts share unique insights into literary themes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#22
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#50
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#216
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#52
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#140
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#225
France/Arts/Books

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Opening Lines

What is Opening Lines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intricate themes, historical contexts, and character developments of notable literary works, this podcast offers deep analyses of beloved novels and plays. Each episode typically features expert guests who contribute their insights, making complex literary discussions accessible to a broader audience. Episodes often explore not only the text itself but also the societal implications and personal experiences tied to the narratives, creating a rich tapestry of discussion surrounding classic literature.

With a blend of narrative analysis and scholarly critique, the content is likely to appeal to literature enthusiasts, students of the arts, and anyone interested in the interplay of story and society. The presence of both seaso... more

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How many subscribers and views does Opening Lines have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Opening Lines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Opening Lines:

1. Bookclub
2. Backlisted
3. Take Four Books
4. The TLS Podcast
5. A Good Read

How many episodes of Opening Lines are there?

Opening Lines launched 3 years ago and published 116 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Opening Lines?

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What guests have appeared on Opening Lines?

Recent guests on Opening Lines include:

1. Natalie Haynes
2. Stephen Keyworth
3. Rebecca Romney
4. Emma Clery
5. Marina Lewycka
6. Simon Russell Beale
7. Benedict Andrews
8. Rosamund Bartlett

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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