Nora Webster

Nora Webster

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

People Mean Well

20141013

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope in rural Ireland.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Slowly, through the gift of friendship and music, she finds a way to start again - and to give her sons a future as she tries to hold on to the past.

Today: Unable to tolerate memories of family summers, Nora makes a painful decision.

Reader: Brid Brennan (born 1955) is a Northern Irish actress best known for her theatre work. She originated the role of Agnes in critically acclaimed performances of Brian Friel's 'Dancing at Lughnasa' for which she won a Tony Award.

Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons.

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

I Was Looking After Maurice

20141014

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children.

Today: Nora realises her freedom has come to an end.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

A Rage That She Could Not Control

20141015

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope.

Today: Struggling with a rage she cannot control, Nora prepares to return to work.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

You Are Not Lady Muck Any More

20141016

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope.

Today: A return to work, and to the office politics Nora thought she'd left behind her.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

A return to work, and to the office politics Nora thought she had left behind her.

Someone Who Is Looking Out For You

20141017

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope.

Today: Nora finally allows herself to accept help.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship, The Master both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, and an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons.

Producer: Justine Willett

Abridger: Sally Marmion.

Alone In A Crowd

20141020

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope, read by Brid Brennan.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. Her husband, Maurice, has just died and Nora must work out how to forge a new life for herself, and her children.

Today: On a rare night out in a pub, Nora finds herself alone on a crowd.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

On a rare night out in a pub, Nora finds herself alone in a crowd.

That Is Why God Made Music

20141021

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope in rural Ireland.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Wexford. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so Nora must work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children.

Today: Nora discovers the healing power of music.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

The Power Of A Widow's Curse

20141022

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. Her husband has just died and Nora is struggling to work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children.

Today: When her son's education comes under threat, Nora realises the power of a widow's curse.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

She Had No Idea What To Do

20141023

From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. Her husband has just died and Nora is trying to find a way to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children.

Today: With Donal struggling at school and Aine becoming more and more involved in politics, Nora fears she cannot hold the family together.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Abridger: Sally Marmion

Producer: Justine Willett.

Will We Be Alright?

20141024

From the author of Brooklyn, a haunting portrayal of grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan.

It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. Her husband has just died and Nora is struggling to work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children.

Today: A message from her dead husband forces Nora finally to move on.

Reader: Brid Brennan

Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, as well as an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons.

Producer: Justine Willett

Abridger: Sally Marmion.

A message from her dead husband forces Nora to finally move on.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	People Mean Well	20141013	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope in rural Ireland. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Slowly, through the gift of friendship and music, she finds a way to start again - and to give her sons a future as she tries to hold on to the past. Today: Unable to tolerate memories of family summers, Nora makes a painful decision. Reader: Brid Brennan (born 1955) is a Northern Irish actress best known for her theatre work. She originated the role of Agnes in critically acclaimed performances of Brian Friel's 'Dancing at Lughnasa' for which she won a Tony Award. Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
02	I Was Looking After Maurice	20141014	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Today: Nora realises her freedom has come to an end. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
03	A Rage That She Could Not Control	20141015	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Today: Struggling with a rage she cannot control, Nora prepares to return to work. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
04	You Are Not Lady Muck Any More	20141016	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and truthful portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Today: A return to work, and to the office politics Nora thought she'd left behind her. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett. A return to work, and to the office politics Nora thought she had left behind her.
05	Someone Who Is Looking Out For You	20141017	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so she must work out how to forge a new life for herself, dealing not only with the endless procession of visitors, her well-meaning relatives, but also her grieving children. Today: Nora finally allows herself to accept help. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship, The Master both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, and an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Producer: Justine Willett Abridger: Sally Marmion.
06	Alone In A Crowd	20141020	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope, read by Brid Brennan. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. Her husband, Maurice, has just died and Nora must work out how to forge a new life for herself, and her children. Today: On a rare night out in a pub, Nora finds herself alone on a crowd. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett. On a rare night out in a pub, Nora finds herself alone in a crowd.
07	That Is Why God Made Music	20141021	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal of one woman's journey through grief, and towards hope in rural Ireland. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Wexford. The love of her life, Maurice, has just died and so Nora must work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children. Today: Nora discovers the healing power of music. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
08	The Power Of A Widow's Curse	20141022	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town on the east coast of Ireland. Her husband has just died and Nora is struggling to work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children. Today: When her son's education comes under threat, Nora realises the power of a widow's curse. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
09	She Had No Idea What To Do	20141023	From the author of Brooklyn, a powerful and honest portrayal grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. Her husband has just died and Nora is trying to find a way to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children. Today: With Donal struggling at school and Aine becoming more and more involved in politics, Nora fears she cannot hold the family together. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, plus an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Abridger: Sally Marmion Producer: Justine Willett.
10	Will We Be Alright?	20141024	From the author of Brooklyn, a haunting portrayal of grief and hope in rural Ireland, read by Brid Brennan. It is the 1960s and Nora Webster is living with her two young sons in a small town in Wexford. Her husband has just died and Nora is struggling to work out how to forge a new life for herself, and for her grieving children. Today: A message from her dead husband forces Nora finally to move on. Reader: Brid Brennan Writer: Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of six novels including The Blackwater Lightship and The Master, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Brooklyn which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Costa Novel Award, as well as an earlier collection of stories, Mothers and Sons. Producer: Justine Willett Abridger: Sally Marmion. A message from her dead husband forces Nora to finally move on.