The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley

Aug 17, 2026

Anna and Geoff discuss THE PALM HOUSE by Gwendoline Riley.  Set in London, it centres on friends Laura and Putnam, both journalists facing a changing work landscape. It is longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize.

 

We enjoyed this book, especially the spare writing. It got us talking:

• How important is plot?
• Is this a comic novel?
• Geoff’s alternative title for the book.

We also pick our next reads from the Booker Prize Longlist.

 

Other books mentioned:

 

The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey

Capture by Amanda Lohrey

The Gate at The Stairs by Lorrie Moore

Birds of America by Lorrie Moore

Foster by Claire Keegan

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

 

Coming up: All Them Dogs by Djamel White

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Credits

Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz