In Glenn Patterson’s novel, Number 5 is a three-bedroom terrace house in suburban Belfast. From the 1950s to the present day, successive occupants fill the house with their troubles and joys. As fashions and tastes change according to each of Number 5’s owners, so the social fault lines of the city shift. Yet the presence of those who have gone before lingers on.
It’s now the late 70s and Number 5 has been bought by a Chinese family called Tan. They’re hard -working and high achievers, but their oriental faces seem not to fit with some of their less sophisticated neighbours.

Author: Glenn Patterson
David Tse reads Part 3 - TAN
Produced and abridged by Eoin O’Callaghan
Executive Editor: Andy Martin Show less