This is a Backlisted special, recorded at the Bodleian Library in Oxford to celebrate the publication of Treacle Walker the new novel by Alan Garner (Fourth Estate).

The panel discussion features Erica Wagner, writer and critic and editor of First Light, an anthology of pieces about Alan Garner’s work; Dr Melanie Giles, archaeologist and the author of Bog Bodies, the definitive account of the phenomenon which plays a significant role in the book’s story; and Profes sor Bo b Cywinski, physicist, whose conversations with Alan Garner about time, landscape and local legend provided the inspiration for the novel.

The podcast also features readings from the novel from the (excellent) 4thEstate audio book featuring Alan’s schoolfriend, the actor Robert Powell and audio clips from an interview about the novel that Alan recorded with his daughter, Elizabeth G arner. The music is by John Dipper, taken from a short film by David Heke premiered at the live event. All proceeds from the event went to support The Blackden Trust, the Garner’s educational charity based in The Old Medicine House, a Grade II timber framed building that Alan and Griselda Garner saved from destruction and which is also the setting ofTreacle Walker.

Books mentioned:

Alan Garner - Treacle Walker; Treacle Walker (audio book read by Robert Powell); The Stone Book Quartet; Boneland; Thursbitch; Strandloper; Red Shift; Where Shall We Run To? The Voice That Thunders
Eric Wagner - First Light: A Celebration of Alan Garner; Chief Engineer: The Man who Built Brooklyn Bridge
Melanie Giles - Bog Bodies