The Power

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 1:

Roxy is 14 years old - she is one of the first. In Lagos, Tunde witnesses the event which will soon become known as The Day Of The Girls.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

In Lagos, Tunde witnesses the event that will soon become known as The Day of the Girls.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 2:

Tunde's phone-shot video goes viral and chaos and panic spread. In Jacksonville, Allie stands up to her foster-father.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Tunde's phone-shot video goes viral, and chaos and panic spread.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 3:

After many days on the run, Allie finds a new home. Roxy takes revenge and Tunde reports on riots in Saudi Arabia.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

After many days on the run, Allie finds a new home. Roxy takes revenge.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 4:

Allie reveals the full extent of her power and shows that it can be channelled for more than mere violence.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

At the convent, Allie discovers the full extent of her power.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 5:

Tunde reports on the beginnings of a civil war in Moldova and meets Tatania Moskalev.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 6:

Allie - now known as Mother Eve - is the leader of an ever-growing religious movement. She and Roxy make plans for the future.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Allie, now known as Mother Eve, and Roxy make plans for the future.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 7:

While Mother Eve visits the republic of women in Bessapara, Roxy makes a devastating discovery about her family.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

By Naomi Alderman. Roxy makes a devastating discovery about her family.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 8:

Tatania Moskalev, President of Bessapara, holds a reception which leads to severe consequences for Roxy and Tunde.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

By Naomi Alderman. Tatania Moskalev's party has consequences for Roxy and Tunde.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 9:

While Mother Eve extends her control, Tunde finds himself trapped in the middle of the violence in the mountains of North Bessapara.

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

By Naomi Alderman. Tunde is trapped in the middle of violence in North Bessapara.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

We meet Roxy, a tough London girl from an underworld family; Tunde, a young Nigerian man who is studying to be a photo-journalist; Allie, a mixed-race girl from Jacksonville whose foster parents use their religion to hide some very dark practices; Margot, an ambitious New England politician and her troubled daughter, Jocelyn.

Their world is much like ours until The Day Of The Girls.

Teenage girls now find they have an electrical power coursing through them - they can harm at will, cause excruciating pain and even death.

"As it is written: 'She cuppeth the lightning in her hand. She commandeth it to strike.'"

This is the power. And it changes everything.

Episode 10:

Mother Eve is now President of Bessapara. Will she choose to escalate the conflict?

The author, Naomi Alderman, won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006 and in 2007 she was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, as well as being selected as one of Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. In 2012 and 2013 she was mentored by Margaret Atwood as part of the Rolex Mentor and Prot退g退 Arts Initiative. Also in 2013, she was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Writers. The Power is her fourth novel. Naomi lives in London.

Written by Naomi Alderman

Reader: Adjoa Andoh

Abridger: Jeremy Osborne

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

By Naomi Alderman. Will Mother Eve choose to escalate the conflict in Bessapara?

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature