Boris Vian, Arne NĂŠss, Karl Ove KnausgĂ„rd, Javier MarĂas, Nawal El Saadawi, Tale of Genji. All of these programmes are available as Arts and Ideas podcasts via the Downloads tab.
Naomi Alderman, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and others discuss the politics of this 1973 fable.
Selvon's evocative 1956 novel discussed at the British Library by Shahidha Bari & guests.
As the National Theatre stages The House of Bernarda Alba, Rana Mitter discusses Lorca
From Alexandria to mid-Wales, Laurence Scott and guests look at library history.
Lea Ypi and Roger Luckhurst join Matthew Sweet to look at novels, dreams and bureaucracy.
Chris Harding reads from Yu Miri's new novel, The End of August.
Iain Sinclair, Mark Blacklock, Muriel Zagha and Jo Stanley join Matthew Sweet.
Exploring the literary and theological terrain of C.S. Lewis's Narnia
Nandini Das and guests discuss the Duchess of Newcastle - philosopher, poet and scientist.
Nandini Das, Tania Branigan, Halik Kochanski, Ed Yong, John Vallaint talk to Rana Mitter
Forging the modern German nation from the moral and material ruins of World War II.
Matthew Sweet looks at copyright rules for Mickey Mouse and Dickens in C19th America.
On Halloween, Matthew Sweet & guests discuss supernatural fiction, conservation and canals
Howard Jacobson, Lara Feigel and Lisa Mullen with Matthew Sweet.
Rana Mitter talks to the six authors shortlisted for the UK's main history writing prize.
Diarmuid Hester & Dodie Bellamy tell Naomi Paxton about a 70s experimental writing group.
Authors Jonathan Coe, Roland Allen, Lesley Smith and art book maker Gill Partington.
Matthew Sweet looks at the origins of creatures like Baba Yaga, Banniks and Rusalkas.
Poets Momtaza Mehri, Julianknxx and historian JesĂșs Sanjurjo join Matthew Sweet.
A weirdly autobiographical science fiction novel from 1981, inspired by hallucinations.
As Kay Dick's They opens at MIF, Matthew Sweet and guests trace the history of dystopias.
NoViolet Bulawayo's We Need New Names on stage plus 'enfant terrible' Dambudzo Marechera.
John Gallagher looks at the Manchester Jewish Museum and talks to novelist Linda Grant.
The book of the Sturm und Drang generation. Anne McElvoy explores the ideas behind it.