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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Afternoon Reading

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Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

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Afternoon Reading: What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets

Afternoon Reading: What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets: Episode 3: Instant Fires

Episode 3

Episode 3: Instant Fires

What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets

Instant Fires

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets, Instant FiresSearch BBC

By Joe Dunthorne. Grappling with her own emotions, young Anna finds much that resonates.

Grappling with her own passionate emotions, schoolgirl Anna finds much that resonates. By Joe Dunthorne, read by Jessica Harris.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE METAPHYSICAL POETS: continuing our series of short stories inspired by the lives and work of the seventeenth century poets John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell.

"INSTANT FIRES" by Joe Dunthorne, read by Jessica Harris.

Young novelist Joe Dunthorne's short story brilliantly evokes the preoccupations of seventeen year old Anna.  Blazing with the confidence of youth - and the burgeoning instincts of the woman she will become - Anna is bemused by the attention paid to her by her English teacher, Mr Ashford. but not so distracted that she fails to notice the Head Boy's attempts to woo her using updated lines from Andrew Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress":  "Girl, I'm thinking a half-term on your thighs, double maths on your neck, a lunch-hour to each of your teeth."

Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Short stories inspired by the poetry of John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell

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Afternoon Reading

What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets

Episode 3: Instant Fires

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