1956: Stevens remembers his father - also a butler and a model of 'dignity' in duty - as well as Miss Kenton's arrival around the same time - at Darlington Hall in 1922. Both were in the service of Lord Darlington.

Stevens is looking back on a lifetime of service as butler in one of the great stately homes of England.

Coming to the end of his career, he belatedly puts his life into perspective.

Kazuo Ishiguro's 1989 Booker Prize winning novel.

Abridged by Catherine Czerkawska.

Read by John Moffatt.

Producer: Marilyn Imrie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990. Show less