Episodes

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01Al Kennedy: The Towers We Founded And The Lamps We Lit20200525Diaries are one of our oldest literary traditions, conjuring questions of private confessions and public display. In this series of essays we explore five diarists of the past through the lens of the present.

In these extraordinary times, when the shift between the domestic and the out-of-reach wider world is ever more pronounced, Radio 3 has commissioned five Essays on the theme of diaries - five new diaries written during the unprecedented period of recent weeks, reflecting on the present moment and reaching out to another historical literary diarist for aid and inspiration.

1. AL Kennedy: The Towers We Founded and the Lamps We Lit

From the stasis of her confinement, AL Kennedy pursues the ever-restless wanderings of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

02Al Kennedy: Hope On, Hope Ever20200526Diaries are one of our oldest literary traditions, conjuring questions of private confessions and public display. In this series of essays we explore five diarists of the past through the lens of the present.

In these extraordinary times, when the shift between the domestic and the out-of-reach wider world is ever more pronounced, Radio 3 has commissioned five Essays on the theme of diaries - five new diaries written during the unprecedented period of recent weeks, reflecting on the present moment and reaching out to another historical literary diarist for aid and inspiration.

2. AL Kennedy: Hope On, Hope Ever

The fortitude and humanity in the diaries of Antarctic explorer Edward Wilson are a counterpoint and inspiration to AL Kennedy in her days denied human contact and open space.

AL Kennedy on the fortitude and humanity of Edward Wilson's Antarctic diaries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

03Helen Mort: More Than Enough20200527Diaries are one of our oldest literary traditions, conjuring questions of private confessions and public display. In this series of essays we explore five diarists of the past through the lens of the present.

In these extraordinary times, when the shift between the domestic and the out-of-reach wider world is ever more pronounced, Radio 3 has commissioned five Essays on the theme of diaries - five new diaries written during the unprecedented period of recent weeks, reflecting on the present moment and reaching out to another historical literary diarist for aid and inspiration.

3. Helen Mort: More Than Enough

Poet Helen Mort's daily exercise walks with her toddler echo the rooted explorations of Dorothy Wordsworth in the Lake District.

Helen Mort's daily walks echo the explorations of Dorothy Wordsworth in the Lake District.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

04Ian Sansom: Cheese Dreams With Graham Greene20200528Diaries are one of our oldest literary traditions, conjuring questions of private confessions and public display. In this series of essays we explore five diarists of the past through the lens of the present.

In these extraordinary times, when the shift between the domestic and the out-of-reach wider world is ever more pronounced, Radio 3 has commissioned five Essays on the theme of diaries - five new diaries written during the unprecedented period of recent weeks, reflecting on the present moment and reaching out to another historical literary diarist for aid and inspiration.

4. Ian Sansom: Cheese Dreams with Graham Greene

Ian Sansom explores his own and Graham Greene's active dream life.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

05Ian Sansom: Mince On Toast With Christopher Isherwood20200529Diaries are one of our oldest literary traditions, conjuring questions of private confessions and public display. In this series of essays we explore five diarists of the past through the lens of the present.

In these extraordinary times, when the shift between the domestic and the out-of-reach wider world is ever more pronounced, Radio 3 has commissioned five Essays on the theme of diaries - five new diaries written during the unprecedented period of recent weeks, reflecting on the present moment and reaching out to another historical literary diarist for aid and inspiration.

5. Ian Sansom: Mince on Toast with Christopher Isherwood

Ian Sansom reflects on the supreme sociability of Christopher Isherwood through the extreme unsociability of social isolation.

Ian Sansom reflects on the supreme sociability of Christopher Isherwood.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.