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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

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The Essay: Letters to Writers

The Essay: Letters to Writers: Episode 2: Dear Jonathan Swift...

Letters to Writers

Episode 2

Episode 2: Dear Jonathan Swift...

Dear Jonathan Swift...

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, Letters to Writers, Dear Jonathan Swift...Close menu

Ian Sansom writes an imaginary letter to Jonathan Swift and interrogates him about his art

Novelist Ian Sansom writes an imaginary letter to Jonathan Swift, interrogating him about his work.

'Dear Geoffrey Chaucer, Can I call you Geoff..?' 

In a series of imaginary correspondences, novelist Ian Sansom writes letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogates them about their art.

'Oh Agatha Christie, Please - do tell - what is the secret of your success?'

As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised, jealousies revealed, concerns aired. 

'Dear Virginia Woolf, Please accept my apologies. For a long time I thought you represented everything that's wrong with literature...'

How exactly does George Eliot do it? Why is it so difficult? And what's that Jonathan Swift just called him? 

Producer: Conor Garrett.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Imaginary correspondence in which Ian Sansom writes to great literary figures

In a series of imaginary correspondence, novelist Ian Sansom writes letters to five of literary history's most celebrated figures and interrogates them about their art

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Episode 2: Dear Jonathan Swift...

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