Inside Anthony Burgess is a podcast that explores the writing of the author of A Clockwork Orange. Taking in both his fiction and non-fiction, we feature one of his books in each episode, discussing Burgess’s inspirations, his thematic interests, his literary techniques and more.

Published in 1966, Tremor of Intent is part Cold War espionage thriller, part spoof of the worlds of Ian Fleming and John le Carre, and part philosophical discussion of the nature of good and evil. It follows secret agent, Denis Hillier. After years of spying he is past his best, his body is scarred and his espionage skills have softened. He finds himself on a boat headed to Crimea to retrieve a defecting scientist, but his fellow passengers might not be all that they seem…

Is it just Burgess’s attempt at a James Bond novel? Andrew Biswell and Graham Foster try to find answers.

Books mentioned in this episode

By Anthony Burgess:

• The Malayan Trilogy (1956-59)
• One Hand Clapping (1961)
• A Clockwork Orange (1962)
• The Wanting Seed (1962)
• Inside Mr Enderby (1963) included in The Complete Enderby
• Nothing Like the Sun (1964)
• A Vision of Battlements (1965)
• Earthly Powers (1980)
• A Dead Man in Deptford (1993)

By others:

• Waverley by Walter Scott (1814)
• Old Mortality by Walter Scott (1816)
• Ulysses by James Joyce (1922)
• Finnegans Wake by James Joyce (1939)
• A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute (1950)
• Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (1953)
• On the Beach by Nevil Shute (1957)
• Slow Horses by Mick Herron (2010)

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You can listen to Inside Anthony Burgess on your audio platform of choice (Apple Podcasts / Spotify/ YouTube), or use the streaming links below.

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