You are about to listen to a BBC podcast and I'd like to tell you a bit about what goes into making one.

I'm Sadata Sese, an assistant commissioner of podcasts for BBC Sounds.

I pull a lot of levers to support a diverse range of podcasts on all sorts of subjects,

relationships, identity, comedy, even one that mixes poetry, music and inner city life.

So one day I'll be helping host develop their ideas, the next fact-checking, a feature,

and the next looking at how a podcast connects with its audience, and maybe that's you.

So if you like this podcast, check out some others on BBC Sounds.

BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts.

Hello, this week you find me struggling with my wheeled suitcase and checking for the

15th time that I have my passport as I prepare to embark on not just one but two

world-spanning journeys. Later we'll be on the trail of Italo Calvino,

whose invisible cities, which turns 50 this year, is a trip to both the ends of the earth

and the outer limits of the imagination. First, though, it's all aboard William Boyd's 17th novel,

The Romantic, which takes us on a whistle-stop tour of 19th century Europe, India,

Africa and America, a catalogue of adventures in love, warfare, art and commerce that encapsulate

the life of one Cashel, Greville Ross. William, welcome to Open Book. Thank you very much, Chris.

Cashel's life spans almost the entire 19th century,

which means it's not wanting for monumental events, this story.

And the fact that he's an adventurous man leads him to the four corners of the world,

all of which means you've written a book that's actually quite tricky to summarize.

Could you tell us where Cashel begins his life

and maybe about a few of the places his life leads him to?

...