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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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Book at Bedtime

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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 Children Act

Juliet Stevenson

Di Speirs

Sally Marmion

Ian McEwan

Book at Bedtime: The Children Act: Episode 3: A Matter of Extreme Urgency

The Children Act

Episode 3

Episode 3: A Matter of Extreme Urgency

A Matter of Extreme Urgency

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Children Act, A Matter of Extreme Urgency

The lawyers state their case while the clock ticks.

Juliet Stevenson continues Ian McEwan's powerful and haunting new novel, The Children Act - a story about faith, love and the Law and about the welfare of children and the duty of those who care for them.

Fiona Maye is an esteemed High Court Judge presiding over cases in the Family Court and admired for her 'godly distance and devilish understanding'. But beneath her professional composure, her happy marriage of thirty years is suddenly in trouble and a recent case has caused her heartache. Now she faces a life or death decision.

For religious reasons, a beautiful seventeen-year-old boy is refusing life-saving treatment, and his devout parents support his wishes. Should the secular court overrule sincerely held faith? What really lies in the boy's best interests? Tonight the lawyers state their case while the clock ticks.

Ian McEwan is one of the UK's leading novelists, his many novels include Atonement, Enduring Love and On Chesil Beach.

The reader is Juliet Stevenson
The abridger is Sally Marmion
The producer is Di Speirs.

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

Powerful story about faith, love and the law and about the welfare of children.

Ian McEwan's powerful story about faith, love and the law and about the welfare of children and the duty of those who care for them. Read by Juliet Stevenson. Abridged by Sally Marmion.

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Book at Bedtime

The Children Act

Episode 3: A Matter of Extreme Urgency

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