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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: Maeve Binchy

10/06/1990

Maeve Binchy

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Maeve Binchy

Sue Lawley's castaway is novelist Maeve Binchy

Sue Lawley's castaway is novelist Maeve Binchy.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is novelist Maeve Binchy. During her Catholic childhood in a small Irish village, she nurtured an ambition, not just to lead a life of religious devotion, but to become a saint. Later on, she aspired to the legal profession, where her horizons stretched far beyond barristers and briefs to, at the very least, Chief Justice of Ireland. But it was ultimately as a writer that Maeve Binchy achieved enormous success, with novels like Light a Penny Candle and many others making her name as one of the most successful popular authors of her time. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her childhood in Ireland, the loss of her religious faith and her ultimate success as an author of popular fiction.

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

Favourite track: The Brendan Theme by Liam O'Flynn
Book: Teach Yourself Bridge
Luxury: Photograph album

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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: An Indepedent Quebec

An Indepedent Quebec

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, An Indepedent Quebec

Is the prospect of an independent Quebec a threat to American and Canadian relations?

Charles de Gaulle's 1967 speech calling for an independent Quebec, healthcare and gun control in Canada, and the American view of their neighbour to the north.

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An Indepedent Quebec

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