Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20120702 | Written by Michael Palin. Keith Mabbut has completed his book on the Sullom Voe oil terminal but feels decidedly unfulfilled. Returning home to London he is determined to embark on a novel. Keith is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes him to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. After his book on an oil terminal, Keith Mabbut feels unfulfilled. |
| 02 | 20120703 | Written by Michael Palin. Keith Mabbut's ex-wife asks him to meet her new man, his daughter Jay falls in love with an Iranian refugee and Keith's agent Silla telephones with a mysterious offer of work. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Mabbut's ex-wife asks him to meet her new man. |
| 03 | 20120704 | Written by Michael Palin. Publisher Ron Latham has offered Mabbut a very handsome fee to write the true story of the elusive humanitarian and activist Hamish Melville. But Keith is wary. The offer just seems too good to be true. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Publisher Ron Latham wants Mabbut to write the true story of the activist Hamish Melville. |
| 04 | 20120705 | Written by Michael Palin. Mabbut accepts Ron Latham's offer and uses his contacts to establish Melville's whereabouts. It transpires Melville is working on a project in India and Mabbut heads for Bhubaneswar in search of his elusive subject. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Mabbut sets off for India in search of his elusive subject. |
| 05 | 20120706 | Written by Michael Palin. Mabbut has been commissioned to write a book about the elusive activist Hamish Melville. He heads to India in search of his subject but, as he begins to unravel the full story, Mabbut finds himself in deep trouble. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. As Mabbut heads to India in search of Melville, he soon finds himself in deep trouble. |
| 06 | 20120709 | Written by Michael Palin. Melville rescues Mabbut from his captors and takes him to his camp. But Melville is no fool. He knows Keith isn't just a tourist who strayed off the beaten track. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Melville rescues Mabbut from his captors but knows what Keith is up to. |
| 07 | 20120710 | Written by Michael Palin. Mabbut feels he's getting to know Melville and understand the elusive anthropologist's principles. And Kumar takes him on a trip to see the destruction caused by the Astramex Corporation. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Kumar takes Mabbut to see the destruction caused by the Astramex Corp. |
| 08 | 20120711 | Written by Michael Palin. Melville agrees to collaborate with Mabbut on his book. But despite the fact that Melville has disappeared again, Keith returns to London to begin writing. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 09 | 20120712 | Written by Michael Palin. Mabbut submits the manuscript of his book on the elusive Hamish Melville but the publisher isn't happy. And daughter Jay asks Keith for money to help her boyfriend's family back home. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Mabbut submits the manuscript of his book on Hamish Melville but the publisher isn't happy |
| 10 | 20120713 | Written by Michael Palin. Publisher Ron Latham tells Mabbut that he's missed the real story of Melville and directs him to a man called Trickett to hear the truth. And Jay's boyfriend Shiraj disappears with Mabbut's money. Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian - he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry genuinely who he claims to be? Is he really a Gandhi-like leader of the people, a political mover and shaker, an enigma? These are the question Keith must ask himself. But as he soon discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it. Read by Alex Jennings Abridged by Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4. Ron Latham tells Mabbut that he has missed the real story of Melville. |