The Book Club

76:20

35. Goldfinger: The Ultimate James Bond Novel

The Book Club ·

2026/10/05

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 Is Goldfinger hopelessly out of date?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

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72:48

34. American Psycho: Murder, Trump, and New York City

The Book Club ·

2026/09/28

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

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82:01

33. Jane Eyre: Bronte's Best Novel?

The Book Club ·

2026/09/21

Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Bronte? 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

en

65:10

32. A Month in the Country: Is This the Greatest...

The Book Club ·

2026/09/14

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

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77:57

31. Lord Of The Flies: Survival Of The Fittest

The Book Club ·

2026/09/07

How did William Golding’s experience in WW2 inspire Lord Of The Flies? Why was the novel initially rejected by publisher? 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

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91:56

30. Lolita: Nabokov’s Twisted Masterpiece?

The Book Club ·

2026/08/31

Who is 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:

en

69:41

29. Rebecca: Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic Epic

The Book Club ·

2026/08/24

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,

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79:41

28. Hemingway’s Spanish Civil War: For Whom The Bell...

The Book Club ·

2026/08/17

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

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82:34

27. Brave New World: The Dystopia That Came True?

The Book Club ·

2026/08/10

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

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72:37

26. Mafia and Mystery: Is ‘My Brilliant Friend’ the...

The Book Club ·

2026/08/03

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

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72:52

25. The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond

The Book Club ·

2026/07/27

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

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39:41

24. Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate...

The Book Club ·

2026/07/23

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:

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70:05

23. The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth

The Book Club ·

2026/07/20

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

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81:33

22. The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever...

The Book Club ·

2026/07/13

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:

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92:43

21. The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story...

The Book Club ·

2026/07/06

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:

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87:06

20. Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind...

The Book Club ·

2026/06/29

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

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76:54

19. Little Women: The Secret Sadness of a Classic

The Book Club ·

2026/06/22

How did Louisa May Alcott break social and literary conventions? Is Little Women the first coming of age story in a novel? And, what do Tabby and Dominic think of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaption? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Little Women, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes,

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65:08

18. The Code Of The Woosters: The Funniest Book Ever...

The Book Club ·

2026/06/15

How did P.G. Wodehouse become one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century? Why have Jeeves and Wooster become such an iconic pairing? And, did P.G. Wodehouse collaborate with the Nazis?Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Code Of The Woosters, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book

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82:08

17. Oscar Wilde's Downfall: The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Book Club ·

2026/06/08

How did the anxieties of late-Victorian Britain inspire Dorian Gray? Which real people lay behind the characters of Dorian Gray? What were the French Decadents, and how did they influence Wilde? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Picture of Dorian Gray, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X:

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75:44

16. The Hunger Games: Rebellion and Violence In...

The Book Club ·

2026/06/01

What does The Hunger Games say about the state of modern America? How did reality TV inspire The Hunger Games? Why did Suzanne Collin's novel become such a sensation with young adults?Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Hunger Games, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube:

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