Helen Dunmore - The Betrayal

Episodes

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01A Tricky Case20101206

In her latest novel, The Betrayal, Helen Dunmore returns to the Soviet Union, and to the city of Leningrad whose history she so powerfully evoked in her best-seller The Siege. Now, a decade later, starvation and bitter cold have been replaced with fear and suspicion, as the people of Leningrad do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Anna and Andrei have survived the siege, married and together have brought up Anna's brother Kolya. They want their lives to be ordinary - but when the son of a senior secret police official is admitted to the hospital where Andrei is a paediatrican, Andrei finds himself outmanoeuvred by the more politically astute and face to face with a man who has the power to destroy him and his family.

Helen Dunmore's evocative portrait of one couple living in the shadow of Stalin conveys both the sense of all pervading menace, from neighbours, from colleagues, from the state, and the struggle to remain humane and true in the face of it. As the net tightens around Andrei and his life becomes the stuff of nightmares, she also tells a compelling and page-turning tale.

Helen Dunmore is a novelist and short story writer whose many works include 'A Spell of Winter', winner of the Orange Prize and 'The Siege' which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel of the Year and the Orange Prize and has sold over 100,000 copies.

The Reader is Sara Kestelman, who also read The Siege in 2001 for Book at Bedtime.
The abridger is Sally Marmion and the producer is Di Speirs.

Leningrad 1952, when it's best not to stand out or attract attention.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

02A Diagnosis20101207

In her novel, The Betrayal, Helen Dunmore returns to the Soviet Union, and to the city of Leningrad whose history she so powerfully evoked in her best-seller The Siege. Now, a decade later, starvation and bitter cold have been replaced with fear and suspicion, as the people of Leningrad do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

In today's episode: It is 1952, Leningrad and Andrei and Anna are just trying to live ordinary lives. But when the son of the feared secret police official, Vulkov, is admitted into his hospital, Andrei finds himself, against his better judgement, manoeuvred into seeing him. Now he is faced with a vulnerable patient and a worrying diagnosis.

The Reader is Sara Kestelman, the abridger is Sally Marmion and the producer is Di Speirs.

Against his better judgement, Andrei visits the vulnerable son of a feared secret official

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

03The Best Chance of Survival20101208

As the doctor in charge of Gorya's case, it falls to Andrei to tell his father, Vulkov, what the boy's best, indeed only, chance of survival is. The stakes are raised even higher as the two men meet.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

It falls to doctor Andrei to tell Vulkov what is his son's best chance of survival.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

04You Can Be a Doctor Anywhere20101209

Although Volkov's son has been discharged from hospital, Anna and Andrei know they've done the unthinkable and come to the notice of someone powerful enough to destroy their lives.

They must leave nothing to chance, but how far can they escape?

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Volkov's son has been discharged, but Anna and Andrei know they have done the unthinkable.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

05We Always Find Them Out20101210

There are rumours about Gorya's health. As Anna and Andrei are given a warning to try to get out of Leningrad, is it already too late to escape the tightening noose?

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Anna and Andrei are warned to get out of Leningrad, but is it already too late?

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

06Suspended From Duty20101213

With the stakes rising, Anna and Andrei know they must try to protect Kolya - then an early morning call confirms their worst fears.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Anna and Andrei know they must protect Kolya. Then a call confirms their worst fears.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

07The Midnight Knock on the Door20101214

Dr Brodskaya has been arrested. Now, in the dead of night, a car door slams beneath Andrei and Anna's flat.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Dr Brodskaya has been arrested. Now, a car door slams beneath Andrei and Anna's flat.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

08Don't Think It Can't Happen to You20101215

Andrei has been arrested. Will anyone help Anna to help him? And how much danger is she putting herself and their unborn child in with her inquiries?

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

With Andrei arrested, will anyone help pregnant Anna with her inquiries?

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

09Insufficient Vigilance20101216

Andrei comes face to face with Gorya's father, Volkov, and learns just what the powerful can do.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' read by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Andrei comes face to face with Gorya's father Volkov, and learns what the powerful can do.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra

10Volkov Is Dead20101217

In a final act before his fall from grace, Volkov, Commissar of the secret police, has given Andrei a way out. Instead of execution he will be sent to Siberia.

Meanwhile Anna is in hiding, waiting for the birth of their baby.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' concluded by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Volkov gives Andrei a way out of execution, while Anna waits to give birth in hiding.

Sara Kestelman reads Helen Dunmore's novel of Cold War Leningra