Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

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.

Book of the Week

Audiobooks

Factual

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Book of the Week: Alive, Alive Oh! And Other Things That Matter

Stephanie Cole

Diana Athill

Kirsteen Cameron

Book of the Week: Alive, Alive Oh! And Other Things That Matter: Episode 1: Post War

Factual: Life Stories

Alive, Alive Oh! And Other Things That Matter

Episode 1

Episode 1: Post War

Post War

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Alive, Alive Oh! And Other Things That Matter, Post War

Diana Athill debunks the myth that Britain in the 1940s and 50s was dreary.

4 Extra Debut. Written in her 90s, Diana Athill debunks the myth that Britain in the 1940s and 50s was a mire of dreariness. From December 2015. Episode 1 of 5.

Stephanie Cole reads from the collection of essays by acclaimed writer Diana Athill. 
 
Written from the vantage point of her late nineties, Athill's essays are wise, cheering and thought-provoking. They range from gentle (her love of beautiful clothes), heartbreaking (the miscarriage of a much-wanted child) to salutary (her difficult decision to relinquish her independence and move into a care home).
 
In this first essay, "Post-War", Athill delights in debunking the myth that Britain in the 1940s and 1950s was a mire of dreariness. A young woman when the war broke out, peace and its aftermath was a time of joy, freedom and optimism.
 
Photo credit: Mark Crick

Written by Diana Athill
 
Read by Stephanie Cole
 
Abridged and Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.

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.

Stephanie Cole reads from Diana Athill's essay collection. Abridged by Kirsteen Cameron

Stephanie Cole reads from Diana Athill's essay collection, published to mark the author's 98th birthday. Abridged by Kirsteen Cameron

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Book of the Week

Alive, Alive Oh! And Other Things That Matter

Episode 1: Post War

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra