The Middlesteins

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 1 (of 10)
Little Edie Herzen was already big for her age, but it did not matter. For food was made of love, so how could her parents not feed her?

Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Little Edie is already big for her age, but it does not matter. For food is made of love.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 2 (of 10)
Rachelle thinks her mother-in-law needs saving and fast. So what's her husband Benny going to do about it?

Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Rachelle thinks her mother-in-law needs saving. So what's Benny going to do about it?

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 3 (of 10)
Richard Middlestein feels he has no choice but to leave his wife, Edie.

Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Richard Middlestein feels he has no choice but to leave his wife, Edie.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 4 (of 10)
Rachelle instructs Robin to spend more time with her newly single, obese, diabetes stricken mother.

Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Robin needs to spend more time with her newly single, obese, diabetes-stricken mother.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 5 (of 10)
Robin gains a new insight into her mother's life.

Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Robin gains a new insight into her mother's life when they visit the Golden Unicorn.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 6 (of 10)
Life is stressful for Benny Middlestein. His mother is ill. His father has left his mother. His wife is not only obsessed with the kids' forthcoming b'nai mitzvah but has put everyone on a joyless diet. And now, he's going bald.

Written by Jami Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Prescription in hand, Benny visits Richard at the pharmacy.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 7 (of 10)
Edie, Emily and Robin - three generations of Middlestein women - meet at Kenneth's Chinese restaurant.

Written by Jamie Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Edie, Emily and Robin meet at the Chinese restaurant.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 8 (of 10)
As Josh and Emily's b'nai mitzvah draws ever closer, Richard takes his grandchildren to the synagogue.

Written by Jami Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Richard takes his grandchildren, Emily and Josh, to the synagogue.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 9 (of 10)
It's Josh and Emily's special day, and all the Middlesteins are gathered for the b'nai mitzvah. But what do Edie and Richard's friends - the Cohns and the Grodsteins and the Weinmans and the Frankens - make of it all?

Written by Jami Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

The Middlesteins and friends come together at the b'nai mitzvah.

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

Edie Middlestein is a woman who can't stop eating. Her family fear she will eat herself to death. But Edie's heart and soul feel full when her stomach is full. And as she alternates between eating and grinding all the joy out of her memories, relationships around her start to unravel.

The author, Jami Attenberg, grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This is her fourth book.

Episode 10 (of 10)
After the b'nai mitzvah, Kenneth sets off for Edie's home to share food and - he hopes - love.

Written by Jami Attenberg
Reader: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

After the b'nai mitzvah, Kenneth sets off for Edie's to share food and, he hopes, love.

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