Turtle Diary By Russell Hoban

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

William visits the turtles at London Zoo. Neaera acquires a water-beetle and an aquarium.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

Two strangers record the events of their days in separate diaries. William G visits the London Zoo, and Neaera H buys a water-beetle and an aquarium.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Neaera visits the Zoo to see the oyster-catchers, and is struck by the turtles.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

In search of the oyster-catcher, Neaera visits the Zoo, but it is the sight of the green turtles in their tank that overwhelms her. William navigates his empty weekends.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Neaera meets the keeper in charge of the turtles at the Zoo.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

Both William and Neaera meet George Fairbairn, the keeper in charge of the Aquarium. They also meet each other, and register a shared interest in turtles.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Neaera can't get the turtles off her mind. The plan begins to gather momentum.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

Now that George Fairbairn has declared himself, a plan is tentatively made as William and Neaera meet over lunch

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

William tries to stop thinking about turtles. Neaera thinks about spiders.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

William takes measures to distract himself from thinking about the turtles by visiting a therapist with Harriet. Neaera has very lofty thoughts about spiders in space.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Plans are made to help the turtles escape. A date is decided.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

While William works out the logistics of transporting the turtles and is surprised that his house-mates are unsuspecting, Neaera plans the finer points of the rescue mission.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Release day arrives. William and Neaera drive through a moonlit night to Polperro.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

The day has finally arrived. The careful plans to transport and release the turtles into the sea at Polperro are now put into action.

[LISTEN NOW]

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts' and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 40 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I'm in a better mood.”

This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement.' John Fowles

Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy.' John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban

Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Neaera visits the zoo to update George. An interesting exchange follows.

Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson read Hoban's poignant novel, published in 1985.

William feels a sense of anticlimax after the release from Polperro. He chooses to spend some time alone. Neaera, on the other hand, has some company.

[LISTEN NOW]