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.
The acclaimed Irish writer Andrew Meehan talks about his novel Hey Man and explores its link to three other works with presenter James Crawford.
Hey Man tells the story of a unique, challenging and beautiful friendship between Ian and Tommy as they navigate three chapters of their lives, from a care-free summer in London to the ritual and peace a Benedictine monastery.
For his three influences, Andrew chose Amy Bloom's White Houses (2018), Lorrie Moore's Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? (1994), and Marilynne Robinson's Gilead (2004).
Producer: Caitlin Sneddon
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
18 Oct 2026
John Grisham
The best-selling American author John Grisham speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, The French Illusion, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works.
The French Illusion begins with Paul and Chelsea Tanner’s fairytale wedding. But their honeymoon to Paris takes a shocking turn when they are kidnapped while on a day trip to the French countryside.
For his three influences John chose: John Le Carre’s The Little Drummer Girl (1983); John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) which won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; and finally Harper Lee’s best-selling American classic, To Kill A Mockingbird (1960).
Producer: Dominic Howell
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
11 Oct 2026
Marlon James
The award-winning Jamaican novelist Marlon James on his Booker-shortlisted novel The Disappearers, as he and presenter James Crawford explore its connections to three other books.
The Disappearers starts with eight men in Jamaica in 1988 meeting in private to rehearse a play. The group are attacked by a violent mob, and for the survivors, recovery is as much emotional as it is physical. Through the lives of the men, the novel explores the realities of queer life in Jamaica during the 1980s and 1990s.
For his three influences, Marlon chose Jessica Hagedorn’s Dogeaters (1990), John Rechy’s The Sexual Outlaw (1977), and Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives (2007).
Producer: Rachael O’Neill
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
Who has been a guest on Take Four Books
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Colson Whitehead
Valeria Luiselli
M John Harrison
David Sedaris
Christopher Brookmyre
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
15 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
63
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
31
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