Lucy Apps’ Outstanding Debut
Gloria Don’t Speak is the hottest working-class novel of Spring 2026. The East London author told us how she wrote it.
Adelle Stripe’s Olfactory Records
The acclaimed poet and author talks to Richard Benson about her acclaimed memoir Base Notes, the books that shaped her, and the all-important subject of crisp flavours.
“Wuthering Heights” Review: Problems Aren’t Only About Race and Class
The issues with Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights run deeper than its awful casting.
Davina Quinlivan’s Loving Gaze
The Shalimar author’s new memoir explores her working-class childhood and Anglo-Burmese heritage. She talks to Richard Benson about the art of imaginative memoir”, growing up near Heathrow airport, how to be present and what makes modern work rubbish
The Working Class Library Episode 6: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Kevin Barry joins Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, and Richard Benson, editor of The Bee, to discuss Frank McCourt’s 1996 memoir Angela’s Ashes.
The Working Class Library Episode 5: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend
Richard and Claire are joined by novelist David Nicholls to consider Sue Townsend’s 1982 novel The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾.
Are working class people saints?
Britain needs to stop its “sanctification” of working-class people, says one conservative commentator. We weren’t aware it had ever started.
Selina Nwulu’s Other Green World
The acclaimed poet’s first essay collection asks why environmental movements exclude people, and what a saved planet might look like for a Black collective.
The Working Class Library Episode 4: Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
Richard and Claire are joined by novelist Sarah Hall to consider Flora Thompson’s memoir Lark Rise to Candleford.
Mark Gatiss, the boy that Dr Who books made
The League of Gentlemen star and creator of Bookish on his work, snobbery in the arts, and advice for working-class writers.
The Working Class Library Episode 3: Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
Craig McLean joins us to consider the place of Irvine Welsh’s novel in our library.
Willy Vlautin’s Everyday People
Willy Vlautin has won the Joyce Carol Oates prize for his heartbreaking novel **The Horse.** The Bee met up with him to talk about his hard-living characters, Trump, and his worst-ever job.
