Open Book

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

BBC Radio 4 FM

Open Book: Claire Fuller & Karla Neblett; Elizabeth Bowen; Katherine Heiny

28/03/2021

Claire Fuller & Karla Neblett; Elizabeth Bowen; Katherine Heiny

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Claire Fuller & Karla Neblett; Elizabeth Bowen; Katherine Heiny

Claire Fuller and Karla Neblett discuss their novels Unsettled Ground and King of Rabbits.

Johny Pitts discusses working-class rural life with Claire Fuller whose novel, Unsettled Ground, is longlisted for the Women's Prize, and Karla Neblett, author of King of Rabbits.

Johny Pitts explores two novels that explore working-class rural communities; Unsettled Ground is Claire Fuller’s fourth novel, longlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize. It’s the story of Jeanie and Julius, 51-year-old twins, who still live with their mother Dot, in a crumbling old farmhouse.  When Dot dies their way of life is turned upside down, and secrets rise to the surface. Karla Neblett’s debut King of Rabbits is set on a rural council estate in Somerset, where a young boy Kai lives with his mixed-race family and paints a portrait of a contemporary rural Britain rarely explored.

Tessa Hadley shares her passion for Elizabeth Bowen as her curated collection of Bowen short stories is published, offering insight into the joys of her prose.   And we look ahead to April's best new books, and editor Lettice Franklin picks Katherine Heiny's Early Morning Riser as her top tip for humourous pleasures.

Book List
Unsettled Ground by Clare Fuller 
King of Rabbits by Karla Neblett
The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen
The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen 
The Heat of the Day by Elizabeth Bowen 
Selected Stories by Elizabeth Bowen, selected by Tessa Hadley
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Open Book

Claire Fuller & Karla Neblett; Elizabeth Bowen; Katherine Heiny

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4