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Wednesday 11th September
Noon & 8pm & 4am
PLAYS/DRAMA
CORMORANT BY SARAH HUTCHINGS and HIL COOKE
Unworldly John and injured sailor, McKinney wash up on an uninhabited island, the only survivors of a terrifying shipwreck. When the pair is finally rescued John isolates himself in an anonymous bed-sit owned by the grotesque Mrs Paskins. Haunted by the sounds of the island, he shies away from human contact communing only with the disturbing voices in his dreams. John’s new neighbour Crow sees life through a haze of delusional paranoia and finds it hard to respect John’s need for solitude. Edgy, secretive John is the perfect focus for Crow’s over-active imagination and he becomes obsessed with investigating John’s nocturnal rituals. However, his surveillance soon turns to clumsy overtures of friendship. Despite his protestations John is forced to turn to Crow for help when his ‘voices’ start to blur his sense of reality.
1pm & 9pm & 5am
IN CONVERSATION…ROBERT COOVER
Robert Coover has been described by The New York Times as, “one of America’s quirkiest writers, if by ‘quirky’ we mean an unwillingness to abide by ordinary fictional rules and a conviction that a novel is primarily a verbal artefact unconvertible to other media.” His novel, The Public Burning, is a long and fantastic fictional account of the events surrounding the executions for espionage of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1952, whose principal narrator identifies himself as the then-Vice President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon. His other publications include Spanking the Maid, Gerald’s Party, Pinocchio in Venice, and Briar Rose.
2pm & 10pm & 6am
POETRY…AUGUST KLEINZAHLER
August Kleinzahler‘s poetry is described by the New York Times as “a modernist swirl of sex, surrealism, urban life and melancholy with a jazzy back beat. His personality combines Allen Ginsberg’s goofball charm and Norman Mailer’s inveterate pugnacity.” He has published eight books of poetry,
3pm & 11pm & 7am
GORGEOUS WOMEN
Women – we are the gentler sex or the deadlier of the species but universally it is agreed that we are good talkers, as Radio Gorgeous aptly delivers for ABR. Sometimes frivolous but always fabulous and today features LOUISE PENNY, best selling Canadian author and JODY DAY, the Founder of Gateway Women – the global friendship and support network for childless-by-circumstance women. Her book ‘Rocking the Life Unexpected’ introduces some radically new ways for childless women, and those who care about them, to think and feel about their situation.
4pm & Midnight & 8am
SHERLOCK HOLMES CLASSICS
ABR is proud to present two classic episodes, this time starring Tom Conway as Holmes. ‘The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor’ is followed by ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery.’
We close the hour with an author interview from KOBO and today’s guest is JOWITA BYDLOWSKA.
5pm & 1am & 9am
SPARK LONDON
The concept is stand out simple. Real people telling real stories. Today’s are: Nobody’s Home by Alisdair Hurst, Down Post Office Lane by Andy Bodle and The Rabbit by Glen Long.
A WORD IN YOUR EAR
Word in Your Ear are a Bath based collective of writers who gather to tell their stories. They liked the way our ancestors enjoyed stories – by listening to them. We totally agree with them so let’s have a listen to: Winners and Losers by Pauline Mawurel and Black Sheep by Hannah Teasdale.
TAKE FIVE
We asked the same five questions to a range of writers – today it’s…POLLY COURTNEY, the bright and engaging novelist and commentator whose brilliant latest novel, Feral Youth, is critically acclaimed as both book and audio book.
6pm & 2am & 10am
HOLLYWOOD STAGE
Hollywood is indelibly printed in our minds as a go to place for entertainment and has been for decades. We take you back in time as The Hollywood ringmaster himself, CECIL B DE MILLE unveils…The Perfect Specimen featuring ERROL FLYNN.
7pm & 3am & 11am
SHORT STORIES
GEORGIE PORGIE BY RUDYARD KIPLING. READ BY EDWARD FOX.
A man breaks his promise to his Burmese wife, whom he bought essentially as a housekeeper. He bemoans his low station in such a remote colonial outpost, however, and returns to England to marry a proper British wife before moving to India and a higher diplomatic posting. The faithful Burmese wife, thinking he is in danger, seeks him out and follows him to India.
THE GARDEN OF TRUTH BY E. NESBIT. READ BY HARRIET WALTER.
Edith Nesbit was an English author and poet whose children’s works were published under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on over 60 books of fiction for children, several of which have been adapted for film and television. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a precursor to the modern Labour Party. She is regarded by some as the first ‘modern writer for children’ but this short story can certainly be enjoyed and appreciated by adults as well.
Noon & 8pm & 4am
PLAYS/DRAMA
AL FRESCO BY CARL CHETTY featuring DEREK JACOBI
Once an affluent employee in a coffee bean corporation, redundant Al is now struggling to come to terms with homelessness on the streets of London. None of his army of old friends are remotely interested in his situation and, residing in an Optician’s doorway, he discovers that not many people want to know you when you’re down and out. However, The Crusty Young Gent, Marjorie and Hazel, a trio of compassionate passers-by, manage to lift Al’s spirits. In fact, it’s the beautiful red-haired Hazel who steals his heart and indirectly changes his life.
BIG SHAKEDOWN ON LITTLE EDDIE BY THEO CLARKE
A sandwich has been eaten and the authorities, aka Mum and Dad, think that 14 year old ‘Little Eddie’ did it. So they set about breaking his spirit, to get to the truth. No-one knows whether he did it or not, they just know that the kid ain’t talking. Set in a middle class Berkshire home, Eddie – Edward’s alter ego – strangely is like something out of the Bronx. And he’s not giving in for nobody!
SHADOW IN THE CORNER BY MARY ELIZABETH BRADDON
Butler Skeggs requires a servant to assist. Bascom agrees but when Maria arrives she finds her bedroom leaves her with very unhappy thoughts. Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s classic ghost story thrills and entertains.
1pm & 9pm & 5am
IN CONVERSATION with ROBERT COOVER
Robert Coover has been described by The New York Times as, “one of America’s quirkiest writers, if by ‘quirky’ we mean an unwillingness to abide by ordinary fictional rules and a conviction that a novel is primarily a verbal artefact unconvertible to other media.” His novel, The Public Burning, is a long and fantastic fictional account of the events surrounding the executions for espionage of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1952, whose principal narrator identifies himself as the then-Vice President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon. His other publications includeSpanking the Maid, Gerald’s Party, Pinocchio in Venice, and Briar Rose.
POETS & POETRY featuring DENNIS O’ DRISCOLL
Dennis O’ Driscoll was born in Co Tipperary, Ireland, in 1954, his nine books of poetry include New and Selected Poems (Anvil Press, 2004), a Poetry Book Society Special Commendation, Reality Check (2007) and Dear Life (Anvil Press, 2012; Copper Canyon Press, 2013). Among his other publications are Troubled Thoughts, Majestic Dreams: Selected Prose Writings (Gallery Press, 2001) and Stepping Stones: Interviews with Seamus Heaney (Faber and Faber, 2008). Here he recites some of his poems followed by an interview with poet and critic Adam Kirsch.
3pm & 11pm & 7am
ALTERNATIVE RADIO with GEOFFREY STONE
Here at Audiobook Radio we are keen to provide a range of voices – very literally as well as in terms of opinions and views of the world. This strand created by Alternative Radio does just that. We will hear from some of the most informed minds and greatest social activists of our time whose take on justice and power does not chime with those that hold the power and don’t provide justice for all so we rarely get to hear from them in mainstream media. Different opinions always help inform our own and we are always eager to hear from listeners about this or any other strand. Contact us on the tab at www.audiobookradio.net
Today’s talk is given by Geoffrey Stone, noted First Amendment and Constitutional law scholar and Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Chicago. He is the award-winning author of many books including Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime, Eternally Vigilant: Free Speech in the Modern Era, Top Secret: When Our Government Keeps Us in the Dark and Speaking Out: Reflections of Law, Liberty and Justice.
4pm & Midnight & 8am
SHERLOCK HOLMES CLASSICS
ABR is proud to present two classic episodes starring Basil Rathbone. ‘The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot’ followed by ‘The Great Gandolpho.’
We close the hour with an author interview from KOBO and today’s guest is DENNIS LEHANE.
5pm & 1am & 9am
SPARK LONDON
The concept is stand out simple. Real people telling real stories.
Charley Harrison presents highlights from their second Best of Spark London night at the Canal Cafe Theatre. In this episode Francis Shire aspires to be ‘King of the Camden Goths’ – can his Swedish Cybergoth partner help him achieve his dream? Meanwhile, Robyn Jankel travels across China by train and introduces a new custom in the process.
A WORD IN YOUR EAR
Word in Your Ear are a Bath based collective of writers who gather to tell their stories. They liked the way our ancestors enjoyed stories – by listening to them. We totally agree with them so let’s have a listen to Wading Not Drowning by Julie Green.
TAKE FIVE with STEPHANIE BOND
We asked the same five questions to a range of writers – today it’s STEPHANIE BOND, a prolific fiction writer of mystery and romance with four upcoming releases including 7 Brides for 7 Bodies, another instalment in the popular Body Movers series.
6pm & 2am & 10am
HOLLYWOOD STAGE with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Hollywood is indelibly printed in our minds as a go to place for entertainment and has been for decades. We take you back in time as The Hollywood ringmaster himself, CECIL B DE MILLE unveils She Wore a Yellow Ribbon featuring JOHN WAYNE
7pm & 3am & 11am
SHORT STORIES – SAKI, WELLS & MANSFIELD
THE REMOULDING OF GROBY LINGTON BY SAKI READ BY BARBARA LEIGH-HUNT
Saki’s world contrasts the effete conventions and hypocrisies of Edwardian England with the ruthless, but straightforward life-and-death struggles of nature. Nature generally wins in the end.
THE STOLEN BACILLUS BY H.G. WELLS. READ BY STEVE ARLOFF
In this short story an anarchist tries to steal cholera bacilli from a bacteriologist to poison London’s water supply, but by mistake is given a different one.
PSYCHOLOGY BY KATHERINE MANSFIELD. READ BY LIZA ROSS
New Zealand’s most famous writer, who was closely associated with D.H. Lawrence and something of a rival of Virginia Woolf. Mansfield’s creative years were burdened with loneliness, illness, jealousy, alienation – all this reflected in her work with the bitter depiction of marital and family relationships of her middle-class characters. Her short stories are also notable for their use of stream of consciousness. Like the Russian writer Anton Chekhov, Mansfield depicted trivial events and subtle changes in human behaviour. This work first appeared in 1920. In this short story, a male and a female artist are so painfully self-conscious of the ebb and flow of their relationship that they cannot get together.