The Transition By Luke Kennard

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20170206

Luke Kennard's intriguing and wry debut novel about capitalism, the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

Set a few years from now, in an unnamed city, the award-winning poet imagines what life might be like for young people from the squeezed middle-class if our society continues along its current economic path.

30-something couple Karl and Genevieve (he writes copy for online content providers, she is a primary teacher) live in a room in a shared house; their combined income is less than their rent and they're falling ever deeper into debt.

To help pay off his 17 credit cards, Karl accepts a job generating 'clickbait' from a stranger online that seems to good to be true. It is. Very soon the messy strands of his and Genevieve's lives are beginning to unravel.

Read by Bryan Dick

Abridged in ten parts by Robin Brooks.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Struggling Karl accepts a clickbait job that seems too good to be true.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170207

30-something Karl has avoided a jail sentence for unwittingly aiding a credit card skimmer.

Instead, he and his wife Genevieve have been offered a place on The Transition - a six month 'rehabilitation programme' in which they will live rent-free with two mentors, Stu and Janna, who will help them get back on their feet.

It's an organisation he's never heard of before but, when they arrive for their first briefing, Karl is surprised to see how large the HQ is, and how well established.

Set in an unnamed British city, a few years from now, Luke Kennard imagines what life might be like for young people from the squeezed middle-class if society continues along its current economic path.

Luke Kennard's debut novel read by Bryan Dick.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Karl and Genevieve attend their first briefing at Transition headquarters.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170208

Mentors Janna and Stu lay down The Transition's ground rules, as Karl and Genevieve slowly adjust to life as prot退g退s on the six-month 'rehabilitation' programme.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Karl finds it difficult to adjust to life as a Transition protege. Read by Bryan Dick.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170209

To prevent him going to jail for his part in a card skimming scam, Karl and Genevieve have signed up to a six-month 'rehabilitation' programme run by a mysterious organisation The Transition.

Forced to give up their bedsit and move in with their mentors, the pair are slowly adjusting to life as 'prot退g退s'. Exercise is a key part of the course and mentor Stu tests Karl's physical and emotional mettle with a punishing gym workout.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Stu tests Karl's mettle with a strenuous workout. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170210

Transition mentors Janna and Stu confront Karl and Genevieve with the stark facts of their situation: heavily in debt and no prospect of that changing if they continue with their current jobs and expectations.

Karl is becoming increasingly suspicious about the true motives behind the secretive organisation's 'rehabilitation' programme.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Karl discovers that the web address carved into the attic bed harbours a shocking warning.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170213

Karl and his wife have signed up to a rehabilitation programme run by THE TRANSITION to avoid a jail sentence for his part in a credit card skimming scam.

As the weeks pass, he is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's true motives.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Janna conducts an awkward counselling session as the focus shifts to Karl and Genevieve.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170214

As Genevieve becomes more and more engaged with The Transition's programme, Karl, by contrast, is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's motives.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

When Genevieve makes a big announcement, Karl worries she may be heading for a breakdown.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170215

While Genevieve falls further under the influence of Transition mentors Stu and Janna; Karl is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's true motives.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Karl feels increasingly rebellious after Stu issues him with a formal warning.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170216

To avoid being jailed for his part in a credit card scam, Karl and Genevieve have signed up to a six-month 'rehabilitation' programme run by secretive organisation THE TRANSITION.

One month in: Genevieve is completely assimilated, while Karl is close to full scale rebellion.

Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Stu, Janna and Genevieve conspire to punish Karl for his rash behaviour. Bryan Dick reads.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

20170217

Although he's been banished to the basement and relegated to The Transition's 'B stream' programme, Karl's only concern is for Genevieve: her increasingly erratic behaviour, which he knows from long experience, is a precursor to a serious breakdown.

Janna and Stu refuse to listen to his concerns, however, and soon his fears are proved correct.

Bryan Dick reads the moving conclusion of Luke Kennard's novel

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Karl receives an alarming letter that proves he was right to worry about Genevieve.

Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20170206	Luke Kennard's intriguing and wry debut novel about capitalism, the housing crisis and a generation in debt. Set a few years from now, in an unnamed city, the award-winning poet imagines what life might be like for young people from the squeezed middle-class if our society continues along its current economic path. 30-something couple Karl and Genevieve (he writes copy for online content providers, she is a primary teacher) live in a room in a shared house; their combined income is less than their rent and they're falling ever deeper into debt. To help pay off his 17 credit cards, Karl accepts a job generating 'clickbait' from a stranger online that seems to good to be true. It is. Very soon the messy strands of his and Genevieve's lives are beginning to unravel. Read by Bryan Dick Abridged in ten parts by Robin Brooks. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Struggling Karl accepts a clickbait job that seems too good to be true. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
02	20170207	30-something Karl has avoided a jail sentence for unwittingly aiding a credit card skimmer. Instead, he and his wife Genevieve have been offered a place on The Transition - a six month 'rehabilitation programme' in which they will live rent-free with two mentors, Stu and Janna, who will help them get back on their feet. It's an organisation he's never heard of before but, when they arrive for their first briefing, Karl is surprised to see how large the HQ is, and how well established. Set in an unnamed British city, a few years from now, Luke Kennard imagines what life might be like for young people from the squeezed middle-class if society continues along its current economic path. Luke Kennard's debut novel read by Bryan Dick. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Karl and Genevieve attend their first briefing at Transition headquarters. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
03	20170208	Mentors Janna and Stu lay down The Transition's ground rules, as Karl and Genevieve slowly adjust to life as prot退g退s on the six-month 'rehabilitation' programme. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Karl finds it difficult to adjust to life as a Transition protege. Read by Bryan Dick. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
04	20170209	To prevent him going to jail for his part in a card skimming scam, Karl and Genevieve have signed up to a six-month 'rehabilitation' programme run by a mysterious organisation The Transition. Forced to give up their bedsit and move in with their mentors, the pair are slowly adjusting to life as 'prot退g退s'. Exercise is a key part of the course and mentor Stu tests Karl's physical and emotional mettle with a punishing gym workout. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Stu tests Karl's mettle with a strenuous workout. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
05	20170210	Transition mentors Janna and Stu confront Karl and Genevieve with the stark facts of their situation: heavily in debt and no prospect of that changing if they continue with their current jobs and expectations. Karl is becoming increasingly suspicious about the true motives behind the secretive organisation's 'rehabilitation' programme. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Karl discovers that the web address carved into the attic bed harbours a shocking warning. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
06	20170213	Karl and his wife have signed up to a rehabilitation programme run by THE TRANSITION to avoid a jail sentence for his part in a credit card skimming scam. As the weeks pass, he is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's true motives. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Janna conducts an awkward counselling session as the focus shifts to Karl and Genevieve. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
07	20170214	As Genevieve becomes more and more engaged with The Transition's programme, Karl, by contrast, is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's motives. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. When Genevieve makes a big announcement, Karl worries she may be heading for a breakdown. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
08	20170215	While Genevieve falls further under the influence of Transition mentors Stu and Janna; Karl is increasingly suspicious about the secretive organisation's true motives. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Karl feels increasingly rebellious after Stu issues him with a formal warning. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
09	20170216	To avoid being jailed for his part in a credit card scam, Karl and Genevieve have signed up to a six-month 'rehabilitation' programme run by secretive organisation THE TRANSITION. One month in: Genevieve is completely assimilated, while Karl is close to full scale rebellion. Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Stu, Janna and Genevieve conspire to punish Karl for his rash behaviour. Bryan Dick reads. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.
10	20170217	Although he's been banished to the basement and relegated to The Transition's 'B stream' programme, Karl's only concern is for Genevieve: her increasingly erratic behaviour, which he knows from long experience, is a precursor to a serious breakdown. Janna and Stu refuse to listen to his concerns, however, and soon his fears are proved correct. Bryan Dick reads the moving conclusion of Luke Kennard's novel First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017. Karl receives an alarming letter that proves he was right to worry about Genevieve. Luke Kennard's wry debut novel about the housing crisis and a generation in debt.