Podcast
The Book Club
The Book Club, hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett, brings the historical context behind famous books to life. Each week, the hosts explore a classic or contemporary title, unpacking the world in which it was written and the story behind its author. This is not your typical literature podcast: The Book Club educates AND entertains, leaving you knowing some of the greatest stories ever told.
- Books chart
- #3
- Episodes
- 40
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 1 hr 18 min
- On air since
- 2026
- Latest episode
- 1 day ago
Episodes
40 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 9 min
Catcher In The Rye: JD Salinger’s American Rebel
Season 1, Episode 39
Show notes
Did ‘The Catcher In The Rye’ create modern youth culture? What made JD Salinger’s writing so unique? And, how was the novel rooted in Salinger’s service in the Second World War?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Catcher In The Rye, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1 hr 20 min
The Truth Behind Stephen King’s The Shining
Season 1, Episode 38
Show notes
How did Stephen King's stay in a ghostly hotel in Colorado inspire The Shining? Is Stanley Kubrick's iconic movie a faithful adaptation? And, is King a good writer?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Shining, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 19 min
Dostoevsky’s Russian Masterpiece: White Nights
Season 1, Episode 37
Show notes
Who was Fyodor Dostoevsky? Was White Nights his masterpiece? And, how did the world of 19th century Russia influence his writing?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of White Nights, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 34 min
The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath’s Tragedy
Season 1, Episode 36
Show notes
How did the paranoia of 1950s McCarthyist America shape Sylvia Plath? Why was The Bell Jar the poet's only novel? And, what was the truth of her relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Bell Jar, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 15 min
Goldfinger: The Ultimate James Bond Novel
Season 1, Episode 35
Show notes
Why did James Bond appeal to 1950s Britain? Is Goldfinger hopelessly out of date? And, who really inspired the titular villain?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Goldfinger, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply.Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: James Clayden
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 13 min
American Psycho: Murder, Trump, and New York City
Season 1, Episode 34
Show notes
Why was the book so heavily censored on publication? Is the novel gratuitously violent? And, what happened when Tabby met Bret Easton Ellis?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of American Psycho, and the world it was born of.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more athttps://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 22 min
Jane Eyre: The Best Brontë Novel?
Season 1, Episode 33
Show notes
Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Brontë? And, what social critiques lie in the heart of the novel?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Jane Eyre, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Caroline Kaye
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1 hr 5 min
A Month In The Country: Is This The Greatest Novella Ever Written?
Episode 32
Show notes
How did the First World War affect the British soldier survivors? Is this pastoral novella one of the UK's best books? How did J L Carr's Yorkshire upbringing impact the setting and tone of the story?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Month In The Country, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more athttps://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 18 min
Lord Of The Flies: Survival Of The Fittest
Season 1, Episode 31
Show notes
How did William Golding’s experience in the Second World War inspire Lord Of The Flies? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what does it say it about the fragile nature of society?
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else.
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Lord Of The Flies, and the world it was born of.
Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Caroline Kaye
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 32 min
Lolita: Nabokov’s Twisted Masterpiece?
Season 1, Episode 30
Show notes
Who was Vladimir Nabokov? Why is Lolita so controversial? And, what was the reaction to its publication?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the story behind Lolita, and the novel itself.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier and Josh Smith
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 10 min
Rebecca: Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic Epic
Season 1, Episode 30
Show notes
How did Daphne du Maurier use her own experience to write the chilling events of Rebecca? Who is the sinister Mrs Danvers? And, what really happened to Rebecca?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Rebecca, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account required to receive cashback points. Limitations, terms, and conditions apply. Exclusions apply. Learn more athttps://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
You can order Rebecca and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 20 min
Hemingway’s Spanish Civil War: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Episode 28
Show notes
How did the Spanish Civil War inspire one of Ernest Hemingway’s greatest novels? Why was Hemingway so captivated by Spain? And, were the characters of For Whom The Bell Tolls inspired by real people?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the context behind Hemingway's writing, and the world of For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 23 min
Brave New World: The Dystopia That Came True?
Season 1, Episode 27
Show notes
How does Aldous Huxley satirise roaring twenties America? Is a Brave New World more realistic than 1984? And, what is the novel's Shakespearean connection?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Brave New World, and the novel itself.
Exclusions apply.Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 13 min
Mafia and Mystery: Is ‘My Brilliant Friend’ the Greatest Novel of the Century?
Season 1, Episode 26
Show notes
What does My Brilliant Friend tell us about the dark underbelly of Italian society after the Second World War? Who is the mysterious Elena Ferrante? And, how did she craft a heartbreaking parable of escape and love?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind My Brilliant Friend, and the world it was born of.
Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Caroline Kaye
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 13 min
The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond
Season 1, Episode 25
Show notes
How did the First World War inspire The 39 Steps? Why did John Buchan set the novel in Scotland? And, is the dashing protagonist Richard Hannay, a model for later Spy heroes?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The 39 Steps, and the world it was born of.
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editors: Lorcan Moullier & Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
40 min
Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate Summer Reading List
Episode 24
Show notes
Which books should you take on your summer holiday? How have some of Dominic and Tabby’s favourite destinations shaped these novels? And, what makes a summer classic?
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at:https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Caroline Kaye
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 10 min
The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth
Episode 23
Show notes
How does Madeline Miller re-work Greek mythology to explore women’s experience? Is Circe the best fantasy novel of the 2010s? And, why do we remain captivated by the world of ancient Greece?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Circe, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
You can order Circe and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: James Clayden
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 22 min
The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever Written?
Episode 22
Show notes
How did Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s family story shape his only novel, The Leopard? Why is The Leopard considered an Italian masterpiece? And, who is the sexiest man ever written?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Leopard, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Joe Pettit
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 33 min
The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story Became a Classic
Episode 21
Show notes
How did Kenneth Grahame come up with the idea for The Wind In The Willows? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what character would Tabby and Dominic be?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Wind In The Willows, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
You can order The Wind In The Willows and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Bruno Di Castri
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
1 hr 27 min
Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind A Song of Ice and Fire
Episode 20
Show notes
What real-world historical events and figures inspired the political conflicts in Westeros? Is George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones better than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? And, is it likely that George R.R. Martin will ever finish the A Song of Ice and Fire series?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Game of Thrones, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.
You can order A Game of Thrones and explore our favourite Folio books at https://foliosociety.com/thebookclub
Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com
For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic.
Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com
Instagram: @bookclubpodhq
TikTok: @thebookclubpodhq
X: @bookclubpodhq
YouTube: @TheBookClubPodHQ
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Jack Meek
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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