Entranced by the charms of Lily, Nick struggles with his feelings for Alison, while things become increasingly dark and ominous at Bourani as Conchis continues his story.

John Fowles’ cult novel dramatised by Adrian Hodges.

Starring Tom Burke, Charles Dance and Hayley Atwell.

Nicholas Urfe, a young British graduate runs away from his monotonous life to take up a teaching post on the small Greek island of Phraxos. There he meets the enigmatic figure of Maurice Conchis and slowly gets drawn into a world full of strange encounters and elaborate tricks on Conchis’s estate at Bourani.

When Conchis introduces Nicholas to the enchanting and mysterious Lily Montgomery who bears a striking resemblance to Conchis’s long dead fiancée, reality and illusion begin to intertwine, but what strange game is Conchis playing with Nicholas? Moreover, in this world coloured by artifice and deception, who is really telling him the truth?

Tom Burke ….. Nick
Charles Dance ….. Conchis
Hayley Atwell ….. Lily
Anna Skellern ….. Alison
Josie Taylor ….. Margaret
Maarten Dannenberg ….. Anton
Bodo Friesecke ….. German Colonel
Andreas Karras ….. Greek Resistance Fighter

Harpsichordist ..... Maggie Cole
Written by ..... John Fowles
Adapted by ..... Adrian Hodges

Producer/Director ..... Heather Larmour

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