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Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and literature from around the world

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Book at Bedtime: The Middlesteins

Book at Bedtime: The Middlesteins: Episode 6

The Middlesteins

Episode 6

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Middlesteins, Episode 6

Prescription in hand, Benny visits Richard at the pharmacy.

Benny's wife has banned Richard from seeing his grandchildren, but Benny visits him at the pharmacy.

A layered. bittersweet tragi-comedy about three generations of a Jewish family from the Chicago suburbs.

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 6 (of 10) 
Life is stressful for Benny Middlestein. His mother is ill. His father has left his mother. His wife is not only obsessed with the kids' forthcoming b'nai mitzvah but has put everyone on a joyless diet. And now, he's going bald.


Written by Jami Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

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

Bittersweet tragi-comedy about three generations of a Jewish family from Chicago

By Jami Attenberg. A layered, bittersweet tragi-comedy about three generations of a Jewish family from the Chicago suburbs. Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman

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