Reading Novels

Novels have always sparked controversy. Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lolita and American Psycho were all subject to fierce attacks.

But something is happening now that feels different - a rolling boil of social media outrage and news stories that are not about one novel but about the very nature of reading and writing fiction.

As publishers call in sensitivity readers, universities introduce content warnings and authors face charges of cultural appropriation, Abigail Williams, Professor of English at the University of Oxford, looks beyond the outrage to explore the power of the novel.

In this first programme in the series, Abigail considers the novel from the perspective of the reader, immersed in the values and identities of fictional characters and their imaginary worlds.

Contributors include the Booker Prize shortlisted novelist Nadifa Mohamed, writer and actress Sarah Solemani (who recently adapted the novel Ridley Road for BBC One), literary agent Jonny Geller and the novelists Jo Bloom and Sara Collins.

Books featured include Saul Bellow's Herzog and Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give.

Producer: Julia Johnson
Series Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam

An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 4