
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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 144 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsEducationBooks | |||

As part of our series on the writing of Toni Morrison we’re lucky enough to record a conversation with one of the world’s leading Toni Morrison scholars, Professor Autumn Womack. Autumn has spent more time with the Morrison Papers at Princeton Univer... more
Song of Solomon (1977) propelled Toni Morrison into mainstream recognition as a major American writer, not just of her own generation but all generations, past present and to come. Song tackled something close to the “whole” of African American histo... more
With all the fuss and fanfare around Wuthering Heights, we’re worried Emily Bronte is getting more than her fair share of attention. So today we shift the SLOB-light to her younger sister Anne, author of the remarkable The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, pu... more
A special bonus episode about the blockbuster phenom of Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday celebrations. Sophie’s guest is Professor Devoney Looser, one of the world’s leading Austen scholars, and the author of the brilliant Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, ... more
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Sophie and Jonty have great insight and passion to share. The repartee and mild disagreements make this podcast a very enjoyable listening experience.
I tend to question the source’s accuracy of information provided when an easily checked fact is notably wrong. Toni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 not 1996 as SG claimed in the introduction. Disappointing as I have enjoyed the podcast to date though wondering how many other errors in previous episodes?
Sophie and Jonty discuss the books I want to revisit, and they do it in ways that always give me something new to think about. Pure fun!
Best pod on here. Lighthearted passionate
Some great stuff here, both secret and otherwise 💕🍁
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #32 | |
Apple Podcasts | #43 | |
Apple Podcasts | #103 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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This podcast offers an insightful and engaging exploration of classic literature by examining the narratives hidden within well-known books. Hosted by a literature professor and a former arts director, each episode focuses on a particular book, dissecting not just its themes and characters, but also the lesser-known stories behind its creation and societal impact. The discussions often touch on the darker aspects of these books, including themes of domestic violence, obsession, and colonialism, adding layers of depth to the listener's understanding of the literature. Notably, the hosts incorporate humor and wit in their analyses, making the content accessible and enjoyable for both literature enthusiasts and casual readers. The combination ... more
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Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 144 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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Recent guests on Secret Life of Books include:
1. Devoney Looser
2. James Runcie
3. Colm Tóibín
4. Rowan Tomlinson
5. Hermione Lee
6. Alexandra Harris
7. Alexandra Schwartz
8. Kate Grenville
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