American authors Jonathan Lethem and Gary Shteyngart discuss radicalism, belonging and why being American is no longer enough. Show more

Matthew Sweet discusses the work of artist Martin Creed, considering how he questions what are the limits to art. Plus Carrie Cracknell and Abi Morgan on feminism in theatre. Show more

By Jonathan Lethem. A fragmented and compelling story of modern America from the perspective of those who lost out. At its heart is the fierce, campaigning radical Rose Zimmer. Show more

Teenage Miriam plays on her parents' Communist credentials to impress her friends, and risks her mother's despair-fuelled rage when she sneaks a boy home. Show more

By Jonathan Lethem. Single mother Rose and her daughter Miriam have an incendiary row which changes the course of both their lives. Read by Laurel Lefkow. Show more

Miriam takes teenage Cicero under her wing. Years later he meets her adult son Sergius. Show more

A reflection on the men who have mattered in Rose Zimmer's life. Show more

Letters between Miriam in America and her father Albert in Germany shed new light on their relationship. Show more

A poignant glimpse into Miriam and Tommy's personal experience of revolution. Show more

Alone in a Quaker boarding school, Sergius tries to come to terms with the loss of his family. Show more

A moving glimpse into the relationship between Rose and her stepson Cicero, as she struggles with her encroaching loss of memory. Show more

This fragmented and compelling story of modern America concludes with Rose's stepson Cicero and her grandson Sergius. Show more

The stars of Nordic noir TV series The Bridge, the strange case of RS Thomas and the crisp packet, novelist Jonathan Lethem on the history of the Communist party in the USA. Show more