World Book Club

Peter Carey joins an audience of World Service listeners to discuss his novel 'Oscar and Lucinda'. Introduced by Harriett Gilbert.

Popular British crime writer Ruth Rendell talked to the programme about her work, including that written under her pseudonym Barbara Vine. Ruth Rendell died in May 2015.(Photo: Ruth Rendell) (Credit:Seth Wenig/Reuters)

Julian Barnes, a prize-winning British novelist acclaimed for his inventive storytelling, dives into his book, 'Flaubert's Parrot.' He shares his fascination with Flaubert and discusses the complexities of writing a novel rather than a traditional biography. Barnes explores the ethics of publishing authors' letters, emphasizes the perspectives of those overshadowed by great writers, and reflects on the challenges of writer's block. He also touches on the omitted chapter linking creativity and sexuality, revealing the layers behind his narrative choices.

Prize winning Chinese writer Jung Chang joins a World Service audience to discuss her novel 'Wild Swans'. Presented by Harriett Gilbert.

Author Terry Pratchett talking about The Colour Of Magic in 2003, one of his Discworld series. Terry died in March 2015. The World Book Club was presented by Harriett Gilbert.Photo: Terry Pratchett Credit: PA

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The novel explores themes of women in subjugation, and the various means by which they gain agency. Presenter: Harriett Gilbert.

The British author Doris Lessing died on 17 November at the age of 94. As a tribute the BBC World Service revisits Doris Lessing’s discussion with Harriett Gilbert from a 2003 edition of World Book Club, when she talked about her debut novel The Grass is Singing, which was published in 1950. In an introduction to the original interview, Harriett remembers her encounters with Doris Lessing with affection and reminds us of the fact that she became the oldest winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007 when she won the award for her life’s work.

Hanif Kureishi joins a World Service audience to discuss his book 'The Buddha of Suburbia'. Presented by Harriett Gilbert.

Nobel Prize winner V. S Naipaul discussess his book 'A House for Mr Biswas' with an audience of World Service listeners. Presented by Harriett Gilbert. (Photo: VS Naipaul, Credit: Press Association)

Nigerian born writer Ben Okri discusses his novel The Famished Road. Presenter: Harriett Gilbert.