Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20180108 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. War widow Mrs Hawkins enjoys her life; her rooms suit her, she cherishes good friends and holds a coveted job working with books. But when an author starts to make a nuisance of himself, her life will change beyond recognition... Read by Maggie Service. Abridged by Rosemary Goring. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Muriel Spark's autobiographical novel set amid the postwar London publishing scene. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 02 | 20180109 | War widow Mrs Hawkins' future prospects look uncertain as the Ullswater Press falters: meanwhile there are more pressing problems close to home. Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Read by Maggie Service. Abridged by Rosemary Goring. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Mrs Hawkins' future looks increasingly uncertain as problems arise at work and at home. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 03 | 20180110 | War widow Mrs Hawkins is perturbed by the poison pen letter sent to neighbour Wanda. However a problem with her beloved career is about to eclipse all other issues. Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. Read by Maggie Service. Abridged by Rosemary Goring. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. As problems mount at home, Mrs Hawkins is about to hit problems in her publishing career. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 04 | 20180111 | War widow Mrs Hawkins has lost her job after insulting a well-connected author. However the free time she finds herself with will do wonders for her love life. Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Read by Maggie Service. Abridged by Rosemary Goring. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. After losing her job in publishing, war widow Mrs Hawkins finds her love life improved. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 05 | 20180112 | As Mrs Hawkins makes good use of her contacts, she hopes to put her professional troubles at the Ullswater Press behind her. Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Read by Maggie Service. Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Mrs Hawkins hopes to put her troubles at the Ullswater Press behind her. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 06 | 20180115 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Mrs Hawkins is thriving in her new job and continues to lose weight. But a figure from her past is about to make an unwelcome appearance. Read by Maggie Service Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. As Mrs Hawkins thrives at work an unwelcome figure from the past is set to intrude. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 07 | 20180116 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Wanda continues to behave strangely as Mrs Hawkins mulls on the loss of another job in publishing. Before long her thoughts turn to her brief wartime marriage to the late Tom Hawkins. Read by Maggie Service Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. As Wanda's health deteriorates Mrs Hawkins remembers her wartime marriage to the late Tom. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 08 | 20180117 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. As Wanda Podolak edges ever closer to breakdown, Nancy has spent an unexpected night with neighbour and medical student William Todd. Read by Maggie Service Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Wanda edges closer to breakdown as neighbours Nancy and William spend the night together. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 09 | 20180118 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Still grieving after Wanda's tragic death, Nancy Hawkins is heading for an interview with a new literary magazine. Read by Maggie Service Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. In shock after Wanda's suicide, Nancy Hawkins has applied for a job at a new magazine. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |
| 10 | 20180119 | Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene. Although she enjoys her new job and looks forward to the future with William Todd, Nancy dreads the reappearance of hack writer Hector Bartlett. Read by Maggie Service Abridged by Rosemary Goring First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Even as she enjoys her new job, Nancy dreads the reappearance of writer Hector Bartlett. Muriel Spark's playful and searching novel set amid London's postwar publishing scene. |