Open Book

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

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Open Book: The Joy of Dickens

The Joy of Dickens

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, The Joy of Dickens

The joy of Dickens: an exploration of his literary inventiveness and use of language.

4 Extra Debut. Johny Pitts, Armando Iannucci, Tomas Keneally and Professor John Mullan explore the brilliance of Charles Dickens.  From 2020.

Johny Pitts explores the dazzling brilliance of Charles Dickens, a writer we often associate with Christmas. 

Even in his own lifetime Dickens was dismissed by some as a great showman and entertainer rather than an accomplished author, and today his biography can overshadow his novels. 

In this programme novelist Thomas Keneally, Professor John Mullan, and writer Armando Iannucci share their joy in his use of words and language, his literary inventiveness and modern techniques.

Meanwhile, food historian Pen Vogler guides us through some of the delicious and celebratory meals in his novels.

Producer: Nicola Holloway   

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2020.

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