When Ruth leaves London to volunteer with a charity in New Zealand, she leaves behind her job, her family and the relationship with her partner. But she’s also escaping the news of an imminent global catastrophe. As the disaster strikes, her only hope of survival lies in taking shelter inside the mouth of a beached whale, in the company of a complete stranger. When they emerge into an utterly changed world, these two can only rely on each other for survival. As they try and come to terms with their loss and pain, and find a way to build a life for themselves out of the destruction around them, we slowly begin to discover what drove Ruth from London to the New Zealand beach where everything came to an end – and a new beginning.

In a bold and skilful weaving of Ruth’s desperate present and her past life in London, the story follows two strangers as they confront the worst that can happen.

7/10: To Stay or to Go? As the visitors move on, Ruth and Nik have to make a decision

Writer:
Kate Sawyer worked as an actor and producer before writing The Stranding. Published in 2021, it was Kate’s debut novel and was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and won the East Anglian Book Awards Fiction Award.

Reader:
Kerry Fox is an award-winning actor who came to prominence playing the writer Janet Frame in Jane Campion’s film An Angel at my Table, since when she’s had an international career in films and television.

Abridged by Sara Davies
Produced by Celia de Wolff
Sound Design: Lucinda Mason Brown
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Show less