Helen has a fearful experience at the opera - and discovers that she cannot leave the past behind as easily as she thought.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity’s darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018. Show less