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 | Weekly | Episodes | 158 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsEducationBooks | |||
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2026 is the year of the Horse. It is also the Year of Classic Literature, thanks to the current crop of high-profile screen adaptations. And, when it comes to the classics, SLOB is all about the small screen.
Most film directors have enormous egos.... more
To round out our series on high school novels we're jumping across the pond (aka the Atlantic Ocean) and skipping several decades to find ourselves in early 1990s Massachusetts. Welcome to the world of East Coast preppy culture, where Laura Ashley dr... more
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.In 1969, six years before the Sex Pist... more
Published in 1961, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tells the story of a charismatic and narcissistic teacher in a girl’s private school in Edinburgh during the 1930s. Miss Brodie, who insists repeatedly that she is in the prime of her life - aka middle... more
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- Just wonderful, keep going
These two are wonderful partners & the podcast is a delight. Both Sophie & Jonty have a lot of lived experience which they draw on, besides being literature nerds of the best sort. They come up with the most brilliant insights & take you to surprising places. The topic choice is also brilliant - please keep up your eclectic approach.
NB The sonnets series of close readings was even better. I subscribed for this & am very happy about it. So yes, do a second sonnets series, or go wherever you... more
Apple Podcasts5Barbary Duck
United Kingdom22 days ago - 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 States2 months 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 States2 months 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
Australia3 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 Podcasts2ROYMI5Australia3 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #112 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #35 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #43 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #85 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #139 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | Australia/Arts/Books |
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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:
1. Chat 10 Looks 3
2. The Bookshelf
3. The Book Show
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Conversations
How many episodes of Secret Life of Books are there?
Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 158 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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