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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

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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 4: Dear Virginia Woolf...

Letters to Writers

Episode 4

Episode 4: Dear Virginia Woolf...

Dear Virginia Woolf...

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A letter of apology to Virginia Woolf from novelist Ian Sansom.

In his series of imaginary correspondences with some of literary history's most celebrated figures, novelist Ian Sansom is writing a letter of apology to Virginia Woolf.

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

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

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

As his correspondence unfolds, queries are raised and jealousies revealed.

'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? And why does she keep ignoring Ian's letters?

'Dear George Eliot, You are simply so far out of my league as a correspondent that it is embarrassing even to put pen to paper and to address you directly.

In his on-going epistolary quest, Ian attempts to find out everything you wanted to know about some of our best-loved writers but just were too afraid to ask.

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 4: Dear Virginia Woolf...

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