Born in 1905 among a new and brilliant generation of writers, Anthony Powell was the literary genius who gave us A Dance to the Music of Time, an undisputed classic of English literature. Anthony Powell wrote his spectacular 12 volume sequence over a 25 year period. This comic masterpiece teems with idiosyncratic characters, capturing 20th century Britain through war and peace.

In this portrait of a literary master from one of our generation's greatest biographers, Hilary Spurling draws on Powell's letters and journals, and the memories of those who knew him.

Investigating the friends, relations, lovers, acquaintances, fools and geniuses who surrounded him, she reveals the comical and tragic events that inspired one of the greatest fictions of the age.

Written by Hilary Spurling
Abridged by Sara Davies
Read by Hattie Morahan
Directed by Lizzie Davies
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4. Show less