Main content

Harriett Gilbert talks to writer Kate Grenville about her book The Secret River.

This month Kate Grenville talks about her best-selling novel The Secret River. Her first work for five years since she won the Orange Prize, The Secret River was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize soon after publication. Set in 1806 and based on the true story of Kate鈥檚 first Australian ancestor, this is a dramatic and evocative historical novel set between the slums of nineteenth-century London and the convict colonies of Australia. Told through the eyes of William Thornhill and his family The Secret River examines the timeless themes of ownership, belonging and identity against a backdrop of Aboriginal Australia.

Book list:

Title: The Secret River
Author: Kate Grenville
Publisher: Canongate Books
ISBN-13: 978-1841956824

If you'd like to take part in a future World Book Club, here's your chance.

Lionel Shriver will be discussing his bestselling novel We Need to Talk Kevin on Tuesday 12th May 2009.

Please submit your question for Lionel Shriver in the comment section on the form below or ring us on (+44) 207 5571619.

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Sun 5 Apr 2009 22:06GMT

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from World Book Club

Broadcasts

  • Sat 4 Apr 2009 19:06GMT
  • Sun 5 Apr 2009 01:06GMT
  • Sun 5 Apr 2009 22:06GMT

Ten Amazing Interviews

Favourite episodes of World Book Club, featuring Maya Angelou and Henning Mankell.

Crime Fiction

Henning Mankel, Patrica Cornwell, Jo Nesbo: stars of the genre discuss their craft.

Tales from History

From the tulip fields of 17th Century Amsterdam to the trenches of World War One.

Podcast