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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Cold Blood

Richard Kerridge

Jill Waters

Book of the Week: Cold Blood: Episode 2

Factual: Life Stories

Cold Blood

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Cold Blood, Episode 2

Toads - real and imaginary. The temptations of anthropomorphism.

Read by Robert Powell.

As a boy, Richard Kerridge found refuge in the wilderness of suburban England whose reptilian inhabitants were wondrously untameable. His often troubled and turbulent relationship with his father formed the backdrop to his adventures with neighbourhood friends as they scoured local parks and streams for newts, frogs, toads, lizards, and the ultimate prize - snakes.

What might it be like to be cold blooded, to sleep through the winter, to shed your skin, and taste wafting chemicals on your tongue? Do toads feel a sense of danger as the wheels of a car approach ? What exactly is an 'alien' species?

Kerridge has continued to ask these questions during a lifetime of fascinated study and countless expeditions.

Weaving startling nuggets of research (e.g. fewer than 5% of toads reach adulthood) with elements of history and folklore, the author has also created his personal emotional map of a lifelong relationship with these often unloved and overlooked creatures.

Episode 2:
Toads - real and imaginary. The temptations of anthropomorphism.

Abridged, produced and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

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.

Richard Kerridge reflects on his lifelong relationship with reptiles and amphibians.

Richard Kerridge reflects on his lifelong relationship with reptiles and amphibians. Abridged by Jill Waters. Read by Robert Powell.

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