Confessions of a Book Collector
Confessions of a Book Collector is the podcast for readers, collectors and anyone fascinated by the world of books. Hosted by Goldsboro Books Co-Founder and literary agent, David Headley, the series takes listeners behind the scenes of publishing through candid conversations with bestselling authors, exciting new voices and the industry's most influential figures. Alongside exclusive insights into book collecting and book investing, David shares the stories behind some of the most sought-after editions, the books he believes deserve a place on every shelf, and the industry secrets he's gathered from decades spent championing exceptional writers.
Confessions of a Book Collector
Francis Spufford On Why Fantasy Makes History Feel More Real
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This week on Confessions of a Book Collector, we’re joined by the brilliant Francis Spufford to talk about his genre-bending new novel set in Blitz-era London.
Blending history with fantasy, Francis explores a city under pressure, where bombs fall, angels appear, and time-travelling fascists threaten the fragile course of history. At the heart of it all is Iris, a fiercely ambitious and refreshingly modern heroine navigating a world in flux.
We dive into why the Blitz remains such a powerful setting, how small moments can shape the fate of history, and why writing fantasy can sometimes reveal deeper truths than realism. Francis also shares his journey from non-fiction to fiction, his love of story-driven writing, and the literary influences that shaped him, from C. S. Lewis to J. R. R. Tolkien.
