Episodes
Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
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01 | 20150706 | Best known for The Enchanted April, Elizabeth von Arnim's first novel, the semi-autobiographical Elizabeth and her German Garden, was published anonymously in 1898. In it she mines her unhappy marriage to an overbearing Count - the 'Man of Wrath' - and the mores of the German landed gentry. Subversive, witty and a beautiful meditation on the joys of gardening, it was a huge bestseller and firmly established von Arnim's reputation as an author. Written as a series of diary entries, Elizabeth is a wild spirit whose minor eccentricities (she is happiest when eating salad outdoors) bemuse the servants and shock the high-born neighbours of her husband's family estate in northern Germany. Rather than hating its remoteness and dilapidation, Elizabeth sees her sojourn there as an opportunity to create a beautiful garden in which she can spend time thinking about the world, playing with her beloved daughters and tolerating the occasional visitor. Reader: Caroline Martin Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim Abridger: Sara Davies Producer: Kirsteen Cameron The semi-autobiographical first novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, read by Caroline Martin. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
02 | 20150707 | Elizabeth von Arnim's semi-autobiographical first novel - first published in 1898 and written as a series of diary entries - details the joys and frustrations of creating a garden on her husband's family estate in northern Germany. Elizabeth is a wild spirit whose minor eccentricities (she is happiest when eating salad outdoors) bemuse the servants and shock her high-born neighbours. Rather than hating the estate's remoteness and dilapidation, Elizabeth sees her sojourn there as an opportunity to create a beautiful garden in which she can spend time thinking about the world, playing with her beloved daughters and tolerating the occasional visitor. Reader: Caroline Martin Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim Abridger: Sara Davies Producer: Kirsteen Cameron Elizabeth must find a replacement for her increasingly unstable gardener. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
03 | 20150708 | Elizabeth von Arnim's semi-autobiographical first novel - published in 1898 and written as a series of diary entries - details the joys and frustrations of creating a garden on her husband's family estate in northern Germany. Elizabeth is a wild spirit whose minor eccentricities bemuse the servants and shock her high-born neighbours. In particular, she constantly rails against the constraints placed upon her gender. In this episode she revisits her childhood home, which she had to leave when her father died and it was inherited by her (male) cousins. Reader: Caroline Martin Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim Abridger: Sara Davies Producer: Kirsteen Cameron The grey November weather stirs in Elizabeth a forlorn yearning to see her childhood home. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
04 | 20150709 | Best known for The Enchanted April, Elizabeth von Arnim's first novel, the semi-autobiographical Elizabeth and her German Garden, was published anonymously in 1898. In it she mines her unhappy marriage to an overbearing Count - the 'Man of Wrath' - and the mores of the German landed gentry. Subversive, witty and a beautiful meditation on the joys of gardening, it was a huge bestseller and firmly established von Arnim's reputation as an author. Reader: Caroline Martin Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim Abridger: Sara Davies Producer: Kirsteen Cameron Elizabeth enjoys the peace of her snowy garden, despite of an influx of Christmas visitors Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
05 | 20150710 | Elizabeth von Arnim's semi-autobiographical first novel, written as a series of diary entries, was published anonymously in 1898. The central character, Elizabeth, is a wild spirit whose minor eccentricities bemuse the servants and shock the high-born neighbours of her husband's family estate in northern Germany. Rather than hating its remoteness and dilapidation, Elizabeth sees her sojourn there as an opportunity to create a beautiful garden in which she can spend time thinking about the world, playing with her beloved daughters and tolerating the occasional visitor. Reader: Caroline Martin Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim Abridger: Sara Davies Producer: Kirsteen Cameron Although the new year has come and gone, Elizabeth's guests show no sign of departing... Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |