Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Drama on 4

Drama

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Drama: Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend

Monica Dolan

Anastasia Hille

Grace Wingate

Chloe Harris

Elisabeth McEvilly

Daisy Tompkinson

Elena Ferrante

Ann Goldstein

Timberlake Wertenbaker

Celia de Wolff

Drama on 4: Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend: Episode 2

Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend, Episode 2

The first in Elena Ferrante's acclaimed series about a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Story about a friendship that lasts a lifetime. Growing up in a poor Naples neighbourhood in the 50s, Elena and Lila learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone, or anything, else.

From one of Italy's most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is the first in a quartet of books entitled The Neapolitan Novels. They are a forensic exploration of friendship between Lila and the story's narrator, Lena. This is no normal friendship, it's a friendship that loves, hurts, supports and destroys - and yet it is one that lasts a lifetime.

It begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets two girls, Elena and Lila, learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone - or anything - else as their friendship, beautifully and meticulously rendered, becomes a not always perfect shelter from hardship.

It is the story of a nation, of a neighbourhood, a city and a country undergoing momentous change.

This first book centres on their childhood and adolescence.

From the book by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein.
Dramatised by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Directed by Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Drama on 4: Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend

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

Elena Ferrante's story about a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Drama on 4

Reading Europe - Italy: My Brilliant Friend

Episode 2

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4