Talking Books

Razia Iqbal asks Ian McEwan about his latest novel, Solar, and how he copes with being seen as our national novelist.

Razia Iqbal talks to Philip Pullman and asks him what lies behind his radical reworking of the Bible stories, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.

Hanif Kureishi talks to Razia Iqbal about his recently published collected short stories and how his writing has tracked social and personal change in the last 25 years.

Andrea Levy's Small Island won the Orange Prize in 2004. Razia Iqbal talks to her about the pressures of writing another book after such success.

Victoria Hislop has written two books but already she is a bestseller, her books deal with family secrets and historical events. She talks to Razia Iqbal.

Razia Iqbal asks PD James about the complexities of writing crime novels that are more than puzzles for the reader to solve.

Razia Iqbal talks to the Israeli writer David Grossman. His book To The End of the Land chronicles the life of Ora and her family as she tries to live in a country riven by wars.

The UK's bestselling authors discuss their new work, their ideas and being an author. Razia Iqbal asks Robert Harris how much the New Labour era has informed his fiction.

Critically acclaimed authors discuss their work. Michael Morpurgo explains why his books for children tackle subjects such as war, loss and injustice.

Razia Iqbal discusses Jonathan Franzen's new novel 'Freedom', his long awaited follow up to 'The Corrections'.

Sir Salman Rushdie tells Razia Iqbal why he wrote his new book, Luka and the Fire of Life, for his second son, Milan.

Tony Harrison has been described by critics as the 'alternative poet laureate', and has shocked and challenged audiences with his work. He talks to Razia Iqbal.

Razia Iqbal talks to Rose Tremain about asks her about her latest novel, Trespass, as well as her ideas and being an author in the 21st century.

Colm Toibin's most recent novel, Brooklyn, was a bestseller, winning the Costa Book award in 2009. Razia Iqbal talks to him about his writing style and the influence of the great Irish writers of the past.