Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know

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Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know by Colm Tóibín: 4. Yeats

Episode 4

4. Yeats

Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know by Colm Tóibín

BBC Radio 4 - Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know by Colm Tóibín, 4. Yeats

Colm Tóibín turns his gaze to the life of John B Yeats, father of poet WB Yeats.

Exploring why brilliant conversationalist and impoverished artist John B Yeats exasperated and inspired. Read by Colm Tóibín.

Colm Tóibín continues his exploration of the complex relationships between three of Ireland's literary giants and their fathers:

Tóibín's gaze turns to John B Yeats, father of the literary giant, WB Yeats.  

It turns out that the brilliant conversationalist and impoverished artist was a source of exasperation, but also of inspiration to his son, and here Tóibín tells us why.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer:  Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in  November 2018.

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

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Colm Toibin reads from his new book about the fathers of three of Ireland's great writers.

The award-winning writer Colm Tóibín reads from his new book about the fathers of three of Ireland's leading writers: Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats and James Joyce.

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Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know by Colm Tóibín

4. Yeats

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