Guardian Books podcast: Historical fiction

In this week's podcast we look at the many motives for historical fiction. Orange prize-winning novelist Kate Grenville tells us how her new novel, Sarah Thornhill, is in part an apology for the brutalities of her Australian forebears. We discuss with Clare Clark the various forms of historical fiction and we listen in to Booker prize-winning Hilary Mantel speaking at a virtual conference in which novelists and academics debate the growing respect between them. We also take tips from our readers and Twitter followers on the historical novels they love the most. Reading list: Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville (Canongate) The Great Stink (Penguin) and Savage Lands (Vintage) by Clare Clark Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Fourth Estate)