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Barbara Kingsolver, plus the 'Social Novel' with John Lanchester and Ayisha Malik

Johny Pitts talks to Barbara Kingsolver about Demon Copperhead, her new book which reimagines Dickens' David Copperfield in contemporary Virginia amidst the opioid crisis.

Johny Pitts talks to Barbara Kingsolver about Demon Copperhead, a reimagining of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield set in modern day Virginia amidst rural poverty and the opioid crisis.

Plus, does the Victorian notion of the "Social Novel", which highlighted inequalities and societal ills, have resonance today? John Lanchester and Ayisha Malik discuss how fiction about contemporary society has changed to reflect new complexities.

Book List - Sunday 13 November and Thursday 17 November

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Capital by John Lanchester
The Wall by John Lanchester
The Movement by Ayisha Malik
This Green and Pleasant Land by Ayisha Malik
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Nov 2022 16:00
  • Thu 17 Nov 2022 15:30

This Week's Book List

Read along with us - a list of books discussed in each programme

Books and Authors Podcast

Books and Authors Podcast

Open Book for author interviews and A Good Read for recommended reads

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