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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 Power

Naomi Alderman

Adjoa Andoh

Jeremy Osborne

Rosalynd Ward

Book at Bedtime: The Power: Episode 7

The Power

Episode 7

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Power, Episode 7

By Naomi Alderman. Roxy makes a devastating discovery about her family.

By Naomi Alderman. While Mother Eve visits the republic of women in Bessapara, Roxy makes a devastating discovery about her family.

A historical novel - written 5000 years in the future.

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 7:
While Mother Eve visits the republic of women in Bessapara, Roxy makes a devastating discovery about her family.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman
Reader: Adjoa Andoh
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Rosalynd Ward
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4

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

By Naomi Alderman. Sci-fi thriller set in a world in which power is in the hands of women.

By Naomi Alderman. Science fiction thriller exploring what would happen if women had the power to cause pain and destruction. Read by Adjoa Andoh. Abridged by Jeremy Osborne.

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