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Artwork for Secret Life of Books

Secret Life of Books

Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole
Jane Eyre
Wide Sargasso Sea
Colonialism
Jean Rhys
Gulliver's Travels
Wuthering Heights
Literary Classics
Jonathan Swift
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Childhood
Victorian Society
Alice's Adventures In Wonderland
Macbeth
Emperor Of Bledfuscu
Brobdingnag
Lilliput
Gothic Literature
Victorian Era
Emily Bronte

Every book has two stories: the one it tells, and the one it hides.The Secret Life of Books is a fascinating, addictive, often shocking, occasionally hilarious weekly podcast starring Sophie Gee, an English professor at Princeton University, and Jonty Claypole, formerly director of arts at the BBC. Every week these virtuoso critics and close friends take an iconic book and reveal the hidden story ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes132Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksEducation

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Artwork for Secret Life of Books

Latest Episodes

A Murder is Announced (1950) was Agatha Christie’s 50th published book. So when better than the 50th anniversary of her death to celebrate one of her greatest works - and introduce Miss Marple into the back SLobalogue? In this third episode in our Qu... more

This week, for the second of our episodes on the Queens of Crime, we travel by steamer with Ngiao Marsh and her celebrated detective Roderick Alleyn, who decides to go on holiday in Marsh's native New Zealand — no trivial undertaking for an Englishma... more

James Runcie is author of the acclaimed Grantchester Mysteries - the focus of six books and a hugely successful ITV television series - following vicar-sleuth Sidney Chambers in his sleuthing career from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. James talks... more

YouTube

Last year, the SLoBlight lingered briefly on Agatha Christie when we celebrated the centenary of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd from 1925. This book, more than any other, heralded the start of the so-called Golden Age of Detective Fiction between the tw... more

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Recent Guests

James Runcie
Author of the Grantchester Mysteries
Author
Episode: BONUS: Grantchester's James Runcie on the Golden Age of Crime
Colm Tóibín
Acclaimed Irish novelist, known for works such as 'Brooklyn' and 'The Master'
None specified
Episode: Henry James 2: Colm Tóibín on Henry James
Rowan Tomlinson
Senior Lecturer in Renaissance Studies at the University of Bristol and Montaigne scholar
University of Bristol
Episode: Montaigne pt2: A Montaigne out of a mole hill (with Rowan Tomlinson)
Hermione Lee
A prominent literary biographer and Emeritus Professor of English at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: BONUS: Writing Virginia Woolf's life (with Hermione Lee)
Alexandra Harris
Woolf Scholar and writer currently immersed in a book about Virginia Woolf
Episode: Virginia Woolf 5: The Waves
Alexandra Schwartz
Writer and critic, co-host of The New Yorker Magazine's Critics at Large podcast
The New Yorker
Episode: BONUS: Reading Mrs Dalloway (with Alexandra Schwartz)
Kate Grenville
Award-winning Australian author known for her historical fiction
Episode: The Secret River with Kate Grenville
Professor Dominic Rowe
Neurologist and head of the Macquarie University Centre for MND Research
Macquarie University
Episode: Life and love with MND: Lisa Genova's Every Note Played with Prof Dominic Rowe
Jill Lepore
Professor of American History at Harvard University and staff writer at The New Yorker
Harvard University
Episode: Classic Books vs Trump: Jill Lepore on reading her way through the first 100 days

Hosts

Sophie Gee
An English professor at Princeton University and a co-host known for her insightful literary analysis and witty commentary.
Jonty Claypole
Former director of arts at the BBC and co-host offering deep insights into literature alongside a humorous approach.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 346 ratings
  • Sophie is my North Star

    Best pod on here. Lighthearted passionate

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatinScotland
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Love sharing the secret

    Some great stuff here, both secret and otherwise 💕🍁

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dalyght
    Canada24 days ago
  • The best book podcast

    This podcast is an absolute delight. A funny, smart, joyful deep dive into familiar books. I always learn something new, and enjoy every minute of it. Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SRRpod
    United States25 days ago
  • Genius

    The most brilliant podcast —-intelligent , insightful, witty, clever and highly entertaining —and highly intellectual (but never ever anything but enjoyable ) A+++

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    INSPIRED LISTENER NY
    United Statesa month ago
  • Brilliant!

    I LOVE this podcast. The hosts are insightful, reflective, witty, and funny. They’re also honest - they don’t think every classic is awesome so you can trust when they say it’s a great read. But the very best thing about this podcast if the rapport between Sophie and Jonty! I do love books, but I’d happily listen to the two them talk about the weather!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BookishBiddy
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many highlight the podcast's ability to bring classic and contemporary literature to life through vibrant storytelling and critical analysis.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and humorous commentary provided by the hosts, often emphasizing their chemistry and engaging discussions about literature.
The blend of education and entertainment has earned the podcast high praise, indicating a broader appeal to both book lovers and casual listeners.
Some listeners have noted the political interpretations and critiques, which can overshadow certain themes, suggesting an area for growth in balanced discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#68
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#26
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#81
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: Grantchester's James Runcie on the Golden Age of Crime
Q: Why did you choose to write to that particular period?
To explore a social history of England post-war in a time when crime fiction could reflect changing societal attitudes.
BONUS: Grantchester's James Runcie on the Golden Age of Crime
Q: What is it about these books that made them so appealing both at the time and enduringly so?
The blend of traditional murder mystery puzzles with significant emotional depth post-war created a lasting appeal.
Henry James 2: Colm Tóibín on Henry James
Q: Considered overall, do you think of Henry James as being an overrated or an underrated writer?
Colm believes James is often studied purely for political reasons rather than for the pleasure of reading, suggesting that many readers still appreciate him for the joy his work brings.
Henry James 2: Colm Tóibín on Henry James
Q: What is your favorite James novel?
Colm Tóibín cites 'Portrait of a Lady' as his favorite, while acknowledging that 'What Maisie Knew' is less convincing in his view.
Henry James 2: Colm Tóibín on Henry James
Q: When did you first read Henry James?
Colm Tóibín first encountered Henry James' 'A Portrait of a Lady' when he was 18 and found it captivating, leading to many discussions with friends about the narrative's secrets.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Life of Books

What is Secret Life of Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of literature, this podcast examines both the overt narratives and the hidden complexities within classic and contemporary books. Each episode features in-depth discussions with notable authors and scholars, blending storytelling with literary analysis to uncover the motivations, cultural contexts, and societal implications woven into beloved texts. The hosts encourage listeners to re-examine their understanding of literature, addressing themes of identity, power dynamics, and the personal connections between readers and writers. By highlighting often-overlooked details and offering varied perspectives, the show revives classic literature while drawing connections to contemporary issues. Unique in its mix of humor ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Secret Life of Books?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Secret Life of Books:

1. The Book Show
2. The Bookshelf
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. Backlisted
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of Secret Life of Books are there?

Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Secret Life of Books?

Recent guests on Secret Life of Books include:

1. James Runcie
2. Colm Tóibín
3. Rowan Tomlinson
4. Hermione Lee
5. Alexandra Harris
6. Alexandra Schwartz
7. Kate Grenville
8. Professor Dominic Rowe

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