The Ruffian New Podcast: Books of the Year with James Marriott
Dec 17, 2025
James Marriott, a journalist and critic at The Times, shares his insights on this year's reading landscape. He highlights the compelling influence of John Carey’s work and explores the depth of Karen Armstrong's convent memoir. The conversation shifts to gripping biographies, contrasting Stalin and Hitler, and reflects on novels that truly engage readers. They touch on the neuroscience of reading and recommend immersive reads that resonate with different eras. Expect thoughtful reflections perfect for last-minute gift ideas!
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A Memoir That Feels Like Fiction
- Through the Narrow Gate reads like a novel because Karen Armstrong narrates her convent life with relatable detail.
- The book dramatizes a collision between medieval monastic life and the emerging modern self in the 1960s.
From Toothbrush Humility To Oxford Mini Skirts
- Armstrong joined a brutally strict convent just before Vatican II and later studied at Oxford.
- She experienced the clash of cloistered medieval discipline with swinging 1960s student life while wearing a habit at university.
Stalin Painted As Cultured But Terrifying
- Ian and James discussed Simon Sebag Montefiore's Stalin biography as vivid and immersive.
- They praised its portrait of Stalin as cultured, charismatic, paranoid, and ruthlessly sadistic.