Dorothy Koomson
In this episode of BBC Radio 4's Book Club, author Dorothy Koomson discusses her psychological thriller *The Ice Cream Girls*, which follows the intertwined lives of Serena and Poppy after they are accused of murdering their abusive teacher, Marcus. Koomson explains her choice to write in first‑person and to alternate between the two protagonists, revealing how each woman copes differently—Poppy endures prison while Serena lives under the lingering mental prison of guilt and secrecy. The conversation delves into themes of grooming, the complexities of abusive relationships, and the decision to give the abuser a voice at the novel’s end to illustrate how predators can appear ordinary. Koomson also touches on racial representation and why she placed a white character in prison to explore class and privilege dynamics.
Alan Cumming on Alasdair Gray's Lanark
In this episode of Book Club, actor Alan Cumming guides listeners through Alasdair Gray’s seminal novel Lanark, exploring its split narrative of a gritty Glasgow reality and a surreal dystopian realm. Cumming reflects on the book’s anarchic structure, its vivid language,...