Take Four Books

BBC Radio 4

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.

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68 episodes
Updated July 26

Episodes68

Newest first

January 25 · 28 min
Ali Smith
The Scottish writer on her new novel, Glyph, and its connections to three other works.
January 18 · 34 min
Rob Doyle
The Irish writer on his new novel Cameo and its connections to three other literary works.
January 11 · 28 min
Makenna Goodman
Makenna Goodman on her new novel, Helen of Nowhere, and its links to three other works.
Dec 28, 2025 · 34 min
Andrew Michael Hurley
Andrew Michael Hurley discusses his novel Saltwash and its connection to three books.
Dec 14, 2025 · 34 min
Salman Rushdie
On his new collection of short fiction and its connections to three other literary works.
Dec 7, 2025 · 28 min
Jo Nesbø
The Norwegian crime writer talks about his new book, Wolf Hour, and its three influences.
Nov 30, 2025 · 32 min
Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith on The Private Side of Friendship and the works that influenced it.
Nov 23, 2025 · 31 min
Karl Ove Knausgaard
On his new novel The School of Night and its connections to three other literary texts.
Nov 16, 2025 · 32 min
Olga Ravn
Danish author Olga Ravn speaks about her new novel The Wax Child and its three influences.
Nov 9, 2025 · 28 min
Katherine Rundell
Author Katherine Rundell discusses her new children's book and its three influences.
Oct 26, 2025 · 28 min
Chris Kraus
American writer Chris Kraus discusses her latest novel and its three influences.
Oct 19, 2025 · 32 min
Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory on her latest novel Boleyn Traitor, and the books that influenced it.
Oct 12, 2025 · 28 min
John Banville
John Banville on his new novel Venetian Vespers and its connections to three other texts.
Sep 28, 2025 · 29 min
William Boyd
William Boyd on his new spy novel, The Predicament, and its links to three other works.
Sep 21, 2025 · 28 min
Graham Norton
Bafta Award-winning broadcaster and novelist Graham Norton discusses his novel, Frankie.
Sep 14, 2025 · 33 min
Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan on his new novel, What We Can Know, and its connections to three other works.
Aug 31, 2025 · 28 min
Melissa Lucashenko
Melissa Lucashenko joins Take Four Books to discuss her novel, Edenglassie.
Aug 24, 2025 · 28 min
Sarah Hall
The writer Sarah Hall on her new novel - Helm - and its connections to three other books.
Aug 17, 2025 · 28 min
Rachel Kushner
The American writer Rachel Kushner talks about her novel Creation Lake and its influences.
Aug 10, 2025 · 28 min
Irvine Welsh
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh on his new novel, Men In Love, and its three influences.