The authorised behind-the-scenes biography of one of America's great and most under-rated man of letters, the cosmopolitan and wickedly satirical Vidal, from a devoted yet candid old friend.

In Episode 1, the author Jay Parini recalls his first encounter with Gore and describes a privileged, lonely childhood and the birth of the political, social and sexual interests that would last a lifetime.

Written by Jay Parini
Read by Toby Jones
Abridged by Eileen Horne

Produced and directed by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4. Show less