Honore de Balzac's entertaining tale of family rivalry and fortunes lost and won, set in 19th-century France.

After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Philippe Bridau becomes a reckless gambler who steals from his mother to finance his obsession.

She foolishly continues to idolise him, and it is left to his more dependable brother Joseph to rescue the family from destitution.

Starring Thomas Arnold and narrated by Geoffrey Whitehead

Dramatised in two parts by Chris Dolan.

Narrator ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Philippe Bridau ...... Thomas Arnold
Joseph Bridau ...... Mathew Pidgeon
Agathe Bridau ...... Briony McRoberts
Madame Descoings ...... Phyllida Law
Desroches ...... Jon Glover
Monsieur Hochon ...... Christian Rodska
Madame Hochon ...... Colette O'Neil
Max Gilet ...... Alan Cox
Baruch ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Giroudeau ...... David Holt
Mariette ...... Liz Sutherland

Directed at BBC Glasgow by Bruce Young.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008. Show less