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Summer 2017 marks the bicentenary of the death of Jane Austen at the age of 41. What explains her enduring appeal? Four writers discuss this as well as arguing for their favourite of her novels. Paula Byrne is the author of The Real Jane Austen, which introduces us to a woman deeply involved in the world around her, yet far ahead of her time in emotional and artistic development. She champions Austen’s Mansfield Park. Helena Kelly, who admires Persuasion, is the author of Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, ‘a sublime piece of literary detective work’. The novelist Kamila Shamsie speaks up for Pride and Prejudice, which she has loved since childhood. Their discussion is chaired by John Mullan, author of What Matters in Jane Austen? He praises Emma.

We are grateful to the Royal Literary Fund for sponsoring this event.

What's So Great About Jane Austen?

Suede frontman Brett Anderson joins Miranda Swayer in conversation about his second volume of memoirs, Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn, the book he’d previously said he would never write.

Recorded live at Queen Elizabeth Hall this podcast sees Anderson discuss the writing process, Suede’s critical reception and the positives and pressures that brought, the difference between person and persona, and the shocking moment that served as a wake-up call to his hedonistic lifestyle.

“Everyone in a band is just an awful show off, and I’m no exception to that, hence the fact I’m standing up here talking about myself again”. 
Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson: Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn

In this podcast, recorded live at Southbank Centre, author and journalist Will Self joins Alex Bilmes, to discuss his newly released, and typically funny and frenzied memoir, Will. 

In an entertaining half hour, Self discusses why he wrote Will, the challenges of memoir writing and how it can lead to criticism that is much more ad hominem. 

Will, perhaps inevitably, is also a book about drugs and drug use, a subject which Self expands upon to talk about the evolution of drug culture and why stories of drug use often draw in people who would never entertain the idea of drug-use themselves.

Will Self: a life in writing

Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five international bestsellers and was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine.

In this podcast, recorded from a London exclusive live appearance here at Southbank Centre, Gladwell discusses his latest book, Talking to Strangers, with broadcaster and former barrister Afua Hirsch.

In this fascinating and entertaining talk, the author examines the misinterpretations and misunderstandings at the heart of the tragic case of Sandra Bland. He also asks, why are human beings so bad at detecting lies? And discusses taking risks in his writing.

But there is also a lighter side to this podcast as Hirsch and Gladwell discuss how most rich people are really terrible at being rich, why no-one wants to fight a naked pensioner, and suggest that if we are to have meaningful televised political debates, they should not be between politicians, but between their former spouses.

Malcolm Gladwell: Talking to Strangers

At the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Phoebe Waller-Bridge stepped on stage to debut her new one-woman show, Fleabag. Now, six years on, that character has grown into a full-on phenomenon, with a sell-out runs in London’s West End and off-Broadway, and two critically acclaimed award-winning television series.

In this podcast, Waller-Bridge joins host of The Guilty Feminist, Deborah Frances-White, on stage at Southbank Centre to discuss all things Fleabag. Listen to the pair discuss the how the camera came to represent outside pressure to deliver a performance; combatting loneliness by trying to find connections through sex and family relationships, and how the character of the priest became ‘Hot Priest’. 

Waller-Bridge also explains how Fleabag evolved from a ten minute monologue written to try and make her friend laugh and cry, and how one drunk woman’s feedback propelled it to the current phenomenon it is.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge - Fleabag: The Scriptures

British author Hilary Mantel reveals the eagerly awaited third novel in her thrilling Thomas Cromwell trilogy, The Mirror and the Light. 

The book offers a defining portrait of predator and prey, of a ferocious contest between present and past, between royal will and a common man’s vision. It’s the story of a modern nation making itself through conflict, passion and courage.

In this podcast, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Alex Clark, Mantel reflects on the finale of one of the most compelling and celebrated trilogies of modern times, ending with a special reading of The Mirror and the Light.

Southbank Centre’s Book Podcast: Hilary Mantel – The Mirror and the Light

Founded in 1820, the RSL acts as a voice for the value of literature, honouring and supporting emerging and established writers whilst creating a bridge between authors and audiences of all backgrounds and experiences to engage as many people as possible with the wealth of literature in the UK.

What's So Great About Jane Austen?

Royal Society Literature

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