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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
A Case Of Matricide
Bristol
Women's Freedom
Virginia Woolf
Florence

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes70Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Take Four Books

Latest Episodes

The writer M. John Harrison speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, The End of Everything, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works. The End of Everything follows the characters of Phill... more

Presenter James Crawford speaks to American author and humourist David Sedaris on his new collection of essays, The Land and Its People. From navigating the realities of ageing to reflecting on his personal relationships, Sedaris explores a wide rang... more

Scottish crime writer Christopher Brookmyre speaks to Take Four Books this week about his latest novel, Quite Ugly One Evening, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its links to three other books. Chris's new book, Quite Ugly One... more

The award-winning Irish writer, Liz Nugent, speaks to Take Four Books about her latest novel, The Truth About Ruby Cooper, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works of fiction. Ruby Cooper and her ... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

David Sedaris
Author and essayist
Author, The Land and Its People
Episode: David Sedaris
Chris Brookmyre
Scottish crime writer
Independent author
Episode: Christopher Brookmyre
Liz Nugent
Irish crime writer, author of The Truth About Ruby Cooper
Book publisher/author
Episode: Liz Nugent
Elizabeth Strout
Author of The Things We Never Say
Author, The Things We Never Say
Episode: Elizabeth Strout
Tahmima Anam
Bangladeshi-born writer and journalist, author of Uprising
Author, Uprising
Episode: Tahmima Anam
Maggie O'Farrell
Author of Land, guest on Take Four Books
Author
Episode: Maggie O'Farrell
Douglas Stuart
Author of John Of John
Author
Episode: Douglas Stuart
Imani Thompson
Author of Honey
Episode: Imani Thompson
Deborah Levy
British South African novelist, memoirist, and playwright
Episode: Deborah Levy

Host

James Crawford
Host of Take Four Books

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom4 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
#128
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#8
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#142
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#32
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Sedaris
Q: You've described your writing as a live, iterative process. Can you explain how audience feedback shapes a piece as you work on it?
Audiences help reveal what lands and what doesn't in real time; reading aloud often shows where a joke lands or where a detail should be expanded, so I rewrite with those reactions in mind.
Liz Nugent
Q: What's the book and author, and how did it impact the writing of The Truth About Ruby Cooper?
Nugent discusses Atonement by Ian McEwan, noting its interior perspective on multiple lives and how similar or divergent this approach influenced her decision to give Ruby and Erin contrasting viewpoints, shaping the narrative structure of her novel.
Liz Nugent
Q: Tell us about Ruby and Erin and the nature of their relationship as the book begins.
Liz Nugent describes Ruby and Erin as sisters whose bond is overshadowed by Ruby's insecurity and envy, setting up a dynamic where Ruby's perception of her sister drives the central conflict and ultimately leads to the inciting incident.
Tahmima Anam
Q: How did the three chosen influences—The Buddha in the Attic, Sultana's Dream, and Tiny Beautiful Things—inform your approach to Uprising?
The Buddha in the Attic influenced the decision to use a collective voice and to tell a migrant-and-women-centered story; Sultana's Dream offered a landmark example of feminist utopia and female-led power through science and education; Tiny Beautiful Things inspired radical empathy and the willingness to expose personal vulnerability to illuminate broader human truths.
Tahmima Anam
Q: Why tell the story as a Greek chorus of children, and how did that shape the narrative voice?
She wanted a universal perspective and a voice that could carry the weight of history while remaining approachable. Using a collective 'we' voice allowed readers to see the world through the children's perception, balancing harsh realities with a dreamlike quality and a sense of shared memory.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Take Four Books:

1. A Good Read
2. Bookclub
3. World Book Club
4. A Good Read
5. Ask Penguin

How many episodes of Take Four Books are there?

Take Four Books launched 2 years ago and published 70 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. David Sedaris
2. Chris Brookmyre
3. Liz Nugent
4. Elizabeth Strout
5. Tahmima Anam
6. Maggie O'Farrell
7. Douglas Stuart
8. Imani Thompson

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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