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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Edna O'Brien

23/08/1987

Edna O'Brien

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Edna O'Brien

Michael Parkinson's castaway is writer Edna O'Brien

Michael Parkinson's castaway is writer Edna O'Brien.

The castaway this week is the Irish writer Edna O'Brien, whose first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 to great acclaim. She's also become well-known for her appearances on radio and television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her career and, in her choice of music, reveals a wide taste ranging from Elvis Presley to Carl Orff.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Canon In D by Johann Pachelbel
Book: Complete Encyclopaedia Britannica
Luxury: Cristal champagne

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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke - Letter from America

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Pat Schroeder pitches in

08/06/2014

Pat Schroeder pitches in

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Pat Schroeder pitches in

New entry for the Democratic presidential nomination is the only woman so far.

The woman who coined the 'Teflon President' nickname throws her hat into the Democrat ring.

The woman who coined the 'Teflon President' nickname throws her hat into the Democrat ring.

This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

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