Melmoth By Sarah Perry

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20181022

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

In this opening episode, Helen Franklin's uneventful life as a translator in Prague is altered when a troubled friend gives her a mysterious document.

Abridged in ten parts by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

Sarah Perry was born in Essex in 1979. She has been the writer in residence at Gladstone's Library and the UNESCO World City of Literature Writer in Residence in Prague.

After Me Comes the Flood, her first novel, was long-listed for the Guardian First Book Award and the Folio Prize, and won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award in 2014. The Essex Serpent was Waterstone's Book of the Year in 2016 and the British Book Awards Book of the Year in 2017. Her work has been translated into twenty languages. She lives in Norwich.

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Helen Franklin's uneventful life in Prague is altered by a mysterious document.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181023

Helen returns to the lodgings she shares with her eccentric Czech landlady.

She learns the strange story of Melmoth after reading the manuscript which made her friend anxious and uneasy.

But is Melmoth just a fairy tale?

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Helen learns the strange story of Melmoth.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181024

Hoffman's manuscript describes his childhood in Prague and his first tentative encounter with Melmoth.

Helen has secrets of her own and clues to her previous life, hidden in her room.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Hoffman's manuscript describes his first childhood encounter with Melmoth.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181025

Helen's friend Thea reveals more chilling details about Melmoth. Thea's partner has spent weeks researching the story, at great cost to his mental and physical health.

Helen begins to take the legend of Melmoth seriously.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Helen's friend, Thea, reveals more chilling details about Melmoth.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181026

Helen meets a young woman after an unexpected incident in a church, and introduces her to Thea.

The woman is no stranger to the story of Melmoth.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Helen meets a young woman after an unexpected incident.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181029

Hoffman's manuscript describes his shameful and terrifying experiences during the Second World War and its aftermath.

Melmoth the Witness is never far away.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in ten parts by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Hoffman's manuscript describes terrifying experiences during the Second World War.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181030

At her landlady's birthday dinner, prompted by the others, Helen begins to tell her friends about her darkest secret.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181031

Helen confesses to her terrible crime, committed many years ago during her time in Manila.

It had consequences for both her and her lover, Arnel.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.

Helen confesses to her terrible crime.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181101

Helen has a fearful experience at the opera - and discovers that she cannot leave the past behind as easily as she thought.

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.

Helen has a fearful experience at the opera.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

20181102

Helen has a final confrontation with Melmoth.

Can she forgive herself for what happened in Manila or will she answer Melmoth's call?

Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story.

At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love.

Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne.

Concluded by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.

Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20181022	Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. In this opening episode, Helen Franklin's uneventful life as a translator in Prague is altered when a troubled friend gives her a mysterious document. Abridged in ten parts by Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. Sarah Perry was born in Essex in 1979. She has been the writer in residence at Gladstone's Library and the UNESCO World City of Literature Writer in Residence in Prague. After Me Comes the Flood, her first novel, was long-listed for the Guardian First Book Award and the Folio Prize, and won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award in 2014. The Essex Serpent was Waterstone's Book of the Year in 2016 and the British Book Awards Book of the Year in 2017. Her work has been translated into twenty languages. She lives in Norwich. Producer: Rosalynd Ward A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Helen Franklin's uneventful life in Prague is altered by a mysterious document. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
02	20181023	Helen returns to the lodgings she shares with her eccentric Czech landlady. She learns the strange story of Melmoth after reading the manuscript which made her friend anxious and uneasy. But is Melmoth just a fairy tale? Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. Producer: Rosalynd Ward A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Helen learns the strange story of Melmoth. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
03	20181024	Hoffman's manuscript describes his childhood in Prague and his first tentative encounter with Melmoth. Helen has secrets of her own and clues to her previous life, hidden in her room. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Hoffman's manuscript describes his first childhood encounter with Melmoth. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
04	20181025	Helen's friend Thea reveals more chilling details about Melmoth. Thea's partner has spent weeks researching the story, at great cost to his mental and physical health. Helen begins to take the legend of Melmoth seriously. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Helen's friend, Thea, reveals more chilling details about Melmoth. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
05	20181026	Helen meets a young woman after an unexpected incident in a church, and introduces her to Thea. The woman is no stranger to the story of Melmoth. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged by: Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Helen meets a young woman after an unexpected incident. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
06	20181029	Hoffman's manuscript describes his shameful and terrifying experiences during the Second World War and its aftermath. Melmoth the Witness is never far away. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged in ten parts by Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Hoffman's manuscript describes terrifying experiences during the Second World War. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
07	20181030	At her landlady's birthday dinner, prompted by the others, Helen begins to tell her friends about her darkest secret. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
08	20181031	Helen confesses to her terrible crime, committed many years ago during her time in Manila. It had consequences for both her and her lover, Arnel. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Helen confesses to her terrible crime. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
09	20181101	Helen has a fearful experience at the opera - and discovers that she cannot leave the past behind as easily as she thought. Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018. Helen has a fearful experience at the opera. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.
10	20181102	Helen has a final confrontation with Melmoth. Can she forgive herself for what happened in Manila or will she answer Melmoth's call? Sarah Perry's contemporary novel set in Prague, inspired by an original Gothic story. Melmoth the Witness is a terrifying and yet moving creation who repels and attracts our sympathies simultaneously. The novel explores some of humanity's darkest actions, asks us to consider our deepest secrets and conveys the importance of bearing witness to unspeakable events. At the same time, it's also a novel of redemption, of the possibility of forgiveness, hope and reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Abridged in by Jeremy Osborne. Concluded by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser. A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018. Sarah Perry's modern Gothic novel set in Prague. Read by Greta Scacchi and Anton Lesser.