Before The Earthquake

When Concetta Salierno emerges from her coma, she can't remember what happened in the days leading up to the earthquake that has devastated her home in the mountains of Southern Italy. But it soon becomes clear that something happened that will change the course of her life forever and in this enclosed community, old debts will have to be paid.

Sian Thomas reads this vibrant first novel by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

On emerging from a coma, Concetta can't remember what happened before the earthquake.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

15-year-old Concetta Salierno has discovered that she is pregnant, but as she doesn't remember what happened in the days before the earthquake, she has no idea who the father is.

Her father has called in an old debt of honour from a neighbouring family and she will shortly be married to Felice Totila, who she scarcely knows. Ashamed and confused, she is wary of showing her face in the village. She is also fearful of meeting Signora Clara, who apparently saw her late at night by the cemetery gate in the days before the earthquake.

Sian Thomas reads this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta goes to visit Signora Clara, whose son Peppe was killed in the earthquake.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

After being injured in the earthquake, Concetta Salierno still doesn't remember who is the father of the child she is expecting. To avoid disgrace, her family have hurriedly married her off to Felice Totila.

Only 15 years old, and away from her mother and sisters for the first time, Concetta struggles to get to know this strange boy who is nothing to her and yet must be everything.

Sian Thomas reads this historical mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta has been married off to Felice, whose family owed the Saliernos a debt of honour.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

Francesco di Rienzo left the village in search of work before the earthquake hit. When he returns home, he finds that his younger brother Peppe has been killed in the disaster.

When he bumps into Concetta on the road, Francesco confides that he knows who she was waiting for late that night, by the cemetery gates, before the earthquake, because he saw her with Peppe.

When she tells him she is pregnant and that her family have hastily married her to Felice Totila, he is devastated for her.

Sian Thomas reads this historical novel by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Francesco confides that he knows who Concetta was waiting for the night before the quake.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

It is Lent in the Italian mountains, and Concetta's sister Immacolata has persuaded their parents to allow her and her sister Nunzia to go and celebrate carnuale in the neighbouring village of San Michele.

Chaperoned by their brother, Concetta's husband and his brothers, they set off in high spirits, though Concetta - now heavily pregnant - has to forgo the treat. But when they return home late the next day, there is clearly tension in the air.

Sian Thomas reads this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta's sisters go to celebrate carnuale but, heavily pregnant, she stays at home.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

There was panic in the village after Concetta's sisters disappeared from the fields without trace, but they have been found safe and well after having been held overnight by two men they met at carnuale.

However, according to the strict code of the Italian village, their reputations have been ruined.

And whilst it emerges that Nunzia stayed with her sister to make sure that no harm befell her, Immacolata's intentions appear far less straightforward.

Sian Thomas reads this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta's sisters are found safe and well, but their reputations have been ruined.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

The 15-year-old Concetta Salierno finally goes into labour. But as she struggles to give birth to her child in the isolated Italian mountain village, her life is once more in danger, and in her delirium she finally begins to retrieve some vital threads of memory about the days before the earthquake.

Sian Thomas reads this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta is at the village washing place with her mother when she goes into labour.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

Tragedy has befallen Concetta whilst in labour. However, she has finally grasped some threads of the memories she had lost about the events of the days before the earthquake.

Although consumed by grief, she has found a new understanding with her husband Felice, but she still needs to steal away to share some news with Peppe's brother Francesco.

Sian Thomas reads this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Tragedy befalls Concetta, but she has finally become closer to her husband Felice.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

When the earthquake robbed her of her memory Concetta was told that she'd been seen at night with Peppe di Rienzo, and she assumed he was the father of her child. But now she finally knows the truth, she has a score to settle.

Sian Thomas reads the conclusion of this atmospheric mystery by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Concetta has remembered who was responsible for her pregnancy, and has scores to settle.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

The Salierno family make a tough living as farmers in the mountainous terrain of Southern Italy. When an earthquake devastates their village, their fifteen-year old daughter Concetta is seriously injured. On waking from a coma, she can't remember anything that happened in the weeks before the disaster.

Sian Thomas reads this vibrant first novel by Maria Allen.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4.

One stifling day, an earthquake hits a mountain village and changes young Concetta's life.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature