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Carys Bray - Sweet Home

Carys Bray - Sweet Home: Episode 1: Everything a Parent Needs to Know

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Everything a Parent Needs to Know

Episode 1

Episode 1: Everything a Parent Needs to Know

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Struggling single mum Helen tries different ways of coping with her young wayward daughter

Struggling single mum Helen tries different ways of coping with her young wayward daughter. Read by Emma Fielding.

Made for 4 Extra. Carys Bray's collection of short stories, Sweet Home, won the 2012 Scott Prize.

Helen, a single mother, is struggling to bring up her two children, Jessica and Paul, following a painful divorce. We hear her trying different strategies to cope with little Jessica, and her attempts are juxtaposed with extracts from a selection of parenting books. Read by Emma Fielding.

With psychological insight and lightness of touch frequently found in fairy tales, Carys Bray delves under the surface of ordinary lives to explore loss, disappointment, frustrated expectations and regret. Described as 'not just excellent, but significant', by poet and critic Robert Sheppard, these dark and lyrical stories illuminate extraordinary and everyday occurrences with humanity and humour.

Bray's stories are never afraid to expose the darkness that exists behind suburban front doors, but at their heart are brave, moving evocations of what it means to be at home with those you love.

Abridged by John Peacock
Producer David Blount

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Excerpts from the debut short story collection by the award-winning British author.

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Episode 1: Everything a Parent Needs to Know

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