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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities: Episode 1: The Bronx

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Factual: History

The Bronx

Episode 1

Episode 1: The Bronx

BBC Radio 4 - Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities, The Bronx

Is the Bronx still the site of moral and physical desolation? Alvin Hall takes a tour.

Tom Wolfe's Bronx was a crime-ridden place of despair. Alvin finds out if it is still the site of moral and physical desolation.

Tom Wolfe described 1980s Bronx as a crime-ridden place of despair. Crack dealers on every corner, horrifying crimes every day, and a justice system which could do little to improve it.

Harlem's revitalised, and New York is renowned for its safety- is the Bronx now a great place to live? Alvin Hall visits the site of Sherman McCoy's disastrous wrong turn and ventures further into the borough to where whole streets' worth of apartment buildings were burnt out 25 years ago, to discover what's replaced them.

Speaking to a local priest, photographer and environmental activist, he asks whether a Sherman McCoy today would feel as threatened if he took the wrong lane on the route back to Manhattan from JFK Airport.

Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

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

Alvin Hall compares the New York of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

Alvin Hall compares the New York City of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Episode 1: The Bronx

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