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Artwork for Take Four Books

Take Four Books

BBC Radio 4
Literary Influence
Love
Art
The Party
Nostalgia
The Proof Of My Innocence
The Troubles
Covid-19
Moby Dick
Petersburg
The Lord Of the Rings
Activism
Lockdown
Betrayal
Revolution
Bristol
Women's Freedom
A Case Of Matricide
Virginia Woolf
Old Soul

Presenter James Crawford looks at an author's latest work and delves further into their creative process by learning about the three other texts that have shaped their writing.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes78Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Take Four Books

Latest Episodes

The acclaimed Irish writer Andrew Meehan talks about his novel Hey Man and explores its link to three other works with presenter James Crawford.

Hey Man tells the story of a unique, challenging and beautiful friendship between Ian and Tommy as they ... more

The best-selling American author John Grisham speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, The French Illusion, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works.

The French Illusion begins with Paul... more

The award-winning Jamaican novelist Marlon James on his Booker-shortlisted novel The Disappearers, as he and presenter James Crawford explore its connections to three other books.

The Disappearers starts with eight men in Jamaica in 1988 meeting in ... more

The award-winning writer Louise Kennedy speaks to Radio 4's Take Four Books about her latest novel, Stations, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other literary works.

Stations follows Róisín McCaffrey ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

John Grisham
Best-selling American author known for legal thrillers.
Episode: John Grisham
Marlon James
Multi-award-winning Jamaican novelist
Author of The Disappearers
Episode: Marlon James
Louise Kennedy
Author of Stations
Irish author
Episode: Louise Kennedy
Donal Ryan
Irish author, guest on Take Four Books
Episode: Donal Ryan
Sebastian Barry
Irish author
Author
Episode: Sebastian Barry
Colson Whitehead
Author of Cool Machine and the Harlem Trilogy
Colson Whitehead (author)
Episode: Colson Whitehead
Valeria Luiselli
Award-winning Mexican-American novelist, essayist and soundscaper
Author
Episode: Valeria Luiselli
M. John Harrison
Writer
Author
Episode: M. John Harrison
David Sedaris
Author and essayist
Author, The Land and Its People
Episode: David Sedaris

Host

James Crawford
Host of Take Four Books

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 107 ratings
  • Brilliant

    What a marvellous find. I intend to go back and listen to every single episode. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vigliano
    Italy2 months ago
  • M. John Harrison

    Each episode is charming, but this ep hit home. As a superfan of Day of the Triffids, and a young reader of Ballard, I really enjoyed listening to Mike discussing his influences.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OkeyPinkish
    Canada2 months ago
  • Sympathetic, sensitive programme…

    … inspired by a simple bit profound idea, hosted with genuine interest in the author’s, the worlds they create and the literary influences upon them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Padmakumāra
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The format blends readings with craft-focused insights effectively.
Insightful episodes that reveal how authors select and fuse influences.
Festival-era energy adds a lively, engaging backdrop for literary chats.
Listeners praise the thoughtful, respectful discussions with authors.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#147
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#113
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#18
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

John Grisham
Q: How does To Kill A Mockingbird connect to your latest novel, The French Illusion?
Grisham says the books are very different, but the classic shaped his understanding of the segregated South and continues to influence his ambitions for storytelling, clarity, and suspense.
John Grisham
Q: What was the point that you realized you wanted to be a storyteller, not as a lawyer, but as a writer?
At 30, Grisham was a small-town lawyer who became inspired to write a courtroom story about a young idealistic attorney similar to himself.
Marlon James
Q: How did The Sexual Outlaw influence the writing of Jordan and the book's voice?
John Rechy's The Sexual Outlaw gave shape to Jordan's anger, passion, and defiance, blending direct reportage with lyrical, artistic expression, which helped James craft a voice that is both blunt and poetic while treating sexuality as a vehicle for broader social critique.
Marlon James
Q: What was the play that started the novel and how did it influence The Disappearers?
The initial inspiration came from a version of Pygmalion that James rewrote, but he ultimately anchored the narrative in the stronger, more thematically aligned play Fortune in Men's Eyes, which allowed him to explore sexuality and violence in a way that resonates with the book's core tensions.
Louise Kennedy
Q: Could you give us a short reading now, Louise?
Kennedy reads a Christmas scene from Stations, emphasizing the tender, precise details that anchor the characters' relationship and the era.

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 Take Four Books

What is Take Four Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A literary interview series that centers on an author's latest work and the three influencing texts that helped shape their writing. Conversations frequently weave together craft insights, readings, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the author's process, with festival and travel contexts (notably Hay Festival) adding energy and atmosphere. Across episodes, listeners get a window into how place, memory, and cultural context inform fiction, along with practical craft observations and recommendations for readers who love literary fiction and authorial craft. Noteworthy is the consistent focus on how influences illuminate narrative choices, character psychology, and thematic arcs, making it a strong fit for writers, editors, publishers, and ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Take Four Books?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Take Four Books:

1. A Good Read
2. Bookclub
3. The Waterstones Podcast
4. A Good Read
5. Artists at Work

How many episodes of Take Four Books are there?

Take Four Books launched 2 years ago and published 78 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 Take Four Books?

Recent guests on Take Four Books include:

1. John Grisham
2. Marlon James
3. Louise Kennedy
4. Donal Ryan
5. Sebastian Barry
6. Colson Whitehead
7. Valeria Luiselli
8. M. John Harrison

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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