Beryl Bainbridge: Love by All Sorts of Means

Original version

BBC Radio 4

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James Fleet

Samantha Bond

Brendan King

Pete Nichols

Karen Rose

Beryl Bainbridge: Love By All Sorts Of Means: 3. Life with Austin

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3. Life with Austin

Beryl Bainbridge: Love By All Sorts Of Means

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Beryl Bainbridge: Love By All Sorts Of Means, 3. Life with Austin

A biography of the novelist by Brendan King, read by James Fleet and Samantha Bond.

Beryl’s life with Austin. Brendan King’s biography of the novelist is read by James Fleet and Samantha Bond.

A biography of the novelist who denied that she ever wrote fiction, maintaining that her books were based on her experiences. “What is more peculiar, more riveting, devious and horrific than real life?" she said. 

But while her own life was the primary source for her books, she was never afraid of adding a little colour.

The author Brendan King is a freelance translator, editor and reviewer, with a special interest in late nineteenth century French literature. He completed his PhD on Joris-Karl Huysmans’ life and work at Birkbeck College, London, in 2004.

Between 1987 and 2010, King worked for Beryl Bainbridge, and helped prepare a number of the novels she wrote during this period for publication, including the book she was working on at the time of her death, The Girl in the Polka-dot Dress, which was published posthumously. 

Readers:
Narrator ....... James Fleet
Beryl Bainbridge ...... Samantha Bond

Author: Brendan King
Abridger: Pete Nichols
Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2016.

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Biography of Beryl Bainbridge by Brendan King, who worked for her for 23 years.

Biography of Beryl Bainbridge by Brendan King, who worked for her for 23 years. Read by James Fleet and Samantha Bond.

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Beryl Bainbridge: Love By All Sorts Of Means

3. Life with Austin

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