Secret Life of Books
Sophie Gee and Jonty ClaypoleEvery 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 | 150 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EducationBooksArts | |||
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Latest Episodes
'Although he was a brave and noble warrior, he did not often slay his own friends while drunk'. In this episode, Sophie and Jonty dive deep into the manosphere - aka Anglo-Saxon England - to look at one of foundational stones of English literature (a... more
To close out our poopular series on the great American novelist Toni Morrison, SLOB brings listeners a wonderful discussion with the novelist and Harvard literature Professor Namwali Serpell. Namwali is in the middle of book tour, having just publish... more
Beloved, published in 1987, was Toni Morrison’s fifth novel and instantly seen to be an all-time landmark of American literature, winning the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Sophie and Jonty continue their Morrison series by asking what makes Beloved so ... more
It’s Oscars week!
The golden statues will get dished out on Sunday evening in Los Angeles and the world will be watching. Literary classics are big, yet again. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet have received multiple nominati... more
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- MOST.ENTERTAINING.DUO
This show is a must listen. And not just for the lol's!! Brilliant, cheeky, fun - the hottest takes on literature.
Apple Podcasts4snootiepatoutie
United States19 days ago - Excellent, thorough and fun
Sophie and Jonty know their stuff, make it equally enjoyable to those that have never read the book and to those that have read the book! Plus they have a fun and light rapport despite the scholarly nature of their conversation… love it!
Apple Podcasts5Tiyak123United Statesa month ago - Love this podcast
Sophie and Jonty have great insight and passion to share. The repartee and mild disagreements make this podcast a very enjoyable listening experience.
Apple Podcasts5Mullengandra
Australia2 months ago - Correction
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?
Apple Podcasts2ROYMI5Australia2 months ago - The book podcast I want to keep listening to
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!
Apple Podcasts5Roxane M.United States2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #101 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #31 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #48 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #98 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #140 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | Australia/Arts/Books |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Life of Books
What is Secret Life of Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?
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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Which podcasts are similar to Secret Life of Books?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Secret Life of Books:
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How many episodes of Secret Life of Books are there?
Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 150 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. Namwali Serpell
2. Autumn Womack
3. Devoney Looser
4. James Runcie
5. Colm Tóibín
6. Rowan Tomlinson
7. Hermione Lee
8. Alexandra Harris
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