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Take Four Books

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.

Radio 4,46 episodes

Episodes

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Makenna Goodman
Makenna Goodman on her new novel, Helen of Nowhere, and its links to three other works.
11 Jan 2026,28 mins
Andrew Michael Hurley
Andrew Michael Hurley discusses his novel Saltwash and its connection to three books.
28 Dec 2025,34 mins
Salman Rushdie
On his new collection of short fiction and its connections to three other literary works.
14 Dec 2025,34 mins
Jo Nesbø
The Norwegian crime writer talks about his new book, Wolf Hour, and its three influences.
07 Dec 2025,28 mins
Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith on The Private Side of Friendship and the works that influenced it.
30 Nov 2025,32 mins
Karl Ove Knausgaard
On his new novel The School of Night and its connections to three other literary texts.
23 Nov 2025,31 mins
Olga Ravn
Danish author Olga Ravn speaks about her new novel The Wax Child and its three influences.
16 Nov 2025,32 mins
Katherine Rundell
Author Katherine Rundell discusses her new children's book and its three influences.
09 Nov 2025,28 mins
Chris Kraus
American writer Chris Kraus discusses her latest novel and its three influences.
26 Oct 2025,28 mins
Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory on her latest novel Boleyn Traitor, and the books that influenced it.
19 Oct 2025,32 mins
John Banville
John Banville on his new novel Venetian Vespers and its connections to three other texts.
12 Oct 2025,28 mins
William Boyd
William Boyd on his new spy novel, The Predicament, and its links to three other works.
28 Sep 2025,29 mins
Graham Norton
Bafta Award-winning broadcaster and novelist Graham Norton discusses his novel, Frankie.
21 Sep 2025,28 mins
Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan on his new novel, What We Can Know, and its connections to three other works.
14 Sep 2025,33 mins
Melissa Lucashenko
Melissa Lucashenko joins Take Four Books to discuss her novel, Edenglassie.
31 Aug 2025,28 mins
Sarah Hall
The writer Sarah Hall on her new novel - Helm - and its connections to three other books.
24 Aug 2025,28 mins
Rachel Kushner
The American writer Rachel Kushner talks about her novel Creation Lake and its influences.
17 Aug 2025,28 mins
Irvine Welsh
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh on his new novel, Men In Love, and its three influences.
10 Aug 2025,28 mins
Denise Mina
Multi-award-winning writer Denise Mina discusses her new novel, The Good Liar.
27 Jul 2025,28 mins
Gurnaik Johal
Gurnaik Johal tells Take Four Books about his debut novel, Saraswati.
20 Jul 2025,28 mins
Colm Tóibín
Colm Tóibín on his latest novel, Long Island, and its connections to three other works.
13 Jul 2025,28 mins
Madeleine Thien
Madeleine Thien speaks about her new novel and explores its links to three other works.
29 Jun 2025,28 mins
Wendy Erskine
Wendy Erskine talks about her new novel and explores its connections to three other works.
22 Jun 2025,28 mins
Elif Shafak
Elif Shafak speaks about her latest novel and explores its links to three other works.
15 Jun 2025,28 mins
Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller on his new book, The Land in Winter, and its links to three other works.
08 Jun 2025,28 mins
Seán Hewitt
Seán Hewitt discusses his debut novel, Open, Heaven, and its three literary influences.
25 May 2025,28 mins
Ocean Vuong
Writer and poet Ocean Vuong talks about his latest novel and its three key influences.
18 May 2025,28 mins
Ben Okri
Writer and poet Ben Okri talks about his new novella and its three key influences.
11 May 2025,28 mins
Vincenzo Latronico
Vincenzo Latronico on his new novel Perfection and its connections to three other works.
27 Apr 2025,28 mins
Xiaolu Guo
Xiaolu Guo talks about her new novel and explores its connections to three other books.
20 Apr 2025,28 mins