Charlotte Brontë arrives to an awkward reception in the Smith household.

It seems her hosts are not at all pleased with their depiction in Charlotte's new novel Villette.

The last of five momentous visits Charlotte Brontë made to the capital in the course of her short-lived but meteoric literary career.

These trips chart the story of her relationship with her young publisher (and his watchful, horrified Mama), Charlotte's wide-eyed enthusiasm at visiting the place of her childhood dreams at long last and being lionized as a writer by readers.

We see her difficult relationships with other authors and critics - and then the gradual disillusionment setting in as this intense, painfully honest and gauche Yorkshire novelist gradually acquires self-knowledge and a clear-eyed view of the cruel and shallow fashionable literary world she had long aspired to be part of.

Written by Charlotte Cory.

Charlotte ...... Samantha Power
George ...... Ben Lamb
Mrs Smith ...... Claire Brown
Thackeray ...... Jonathan Keeble
Eliza ...... Emily Pithon
Sarah ...... Suzie Grimsdick

Director: Charlotte Riches

Producer: Susan Roberts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016. Show less