Washington Black

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20190114

Set in the 1830s, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks.

Episode One:

It's 1830. Washington Black is a young field-slave working on the British-owned Faith plantation in Barbados. He is protected and helped by an older African woman, Big Kit. When a ruthless new master arrives at Faith, Wash's life changes forever.

By Esi Edugyan. Wash's life changes when a new master arrives at Faith sugar plantation.

20190115

Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks.

Episode Two:

Washington and Big Kit experience the master's cruelty first-hand. His brother, Christopher Wilde, is uncomfortable with their treatment. Christopher, known as Titch, has an unexpected request for Washington, which will change the course of his life.

By Esi Edugyan. The master's brother, Titch, has a request for Wash.

20190116

Episode Three:

Titch makes preparations for the launch of his cloud-cutter - a prototype hot-air balloon. Washington has discovered that he has a rare artistic talent but, when Titch's cousin Philip arrives at the plantation, it has serious repercussions.

By Esi Edugyan. Titch prepares for the launch of his cloud-cutter - a hot air balloon.

20190117

Episode Four:

Philip has disturbing news for his cousins, Titch and Erasmus Wilde. Wash has been horribly disfigured by the accident with the cloud-cutter. Philip's depressive nature overcomes him - with disastrous consequences for Washington.

By Esi Edugyan. Philip has disturbing news for Titch and Erasmus Wilde.

20190118

Episode Five:

Following Philip's suicide, Wash and Titch have to leave Faith plantation as quickly as possible. But all does not go according to plan.

By Esi Edugyan. After Philip's suicide, Wash and Titch have to leave.

20190121

Episode Six:

Wash and Titch are now in America, staying with the English sexton Edgar Farrow. Titch must decide what to do next, having discovered that his father appears to be still alive and carrying out research in the Arctic.

By Esi Edugyan. Wash and Titch are now in America.

20190122

Episode Seven:

Wash and Titch have found Titch's father working in the Arctic. But the relationship between Titch and his father is both complicated and unsettling for Washington.

By Esi Edugyan. Wash and Titch have found Titch's father working in the Arctic.

20190123

Episode Eight:

Having been abandoned by Titch in the Arctic, Washington is on his own and working in a small town in Canada. He wonders if he will ever see his new friend Tanna again.

By Esi Edugyan. Washington is in Canada. He wonders if he will see Tanna again.

20190124

Episode Nine:

Just when all seems to be going well for him, Washington has to fight for his life. But Tanna and her father will be the means for him to start a new chapter.

By Esi Edugyan. Washington has to fight for his life.

10 LAST

20190125

Episode Ten:

With Tanna by his side, Washington goes in search of Titch, who he now believes is alive and well. His travels will take him far and wide but he has no idea what the reception will be if he finds him.

By Esi Edugyan. Washington goes in search of Titch.

OMNI-01

20190120

20190121 (BBC7)

Set in the 1830s, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Washington Black, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world, in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. It is a novel that explores the nature of evil, moral delusion, and the limits of responsibility as well as being a coming-of-age story where survival marks the transition from boy to man.

Esi Edugyan has degrees from the University of Victoria and Johns Hopkins University. Her first novel, The Second Life of Samuel Tyne - written when she was 25 - was published in 2004. Her second, Half Blood Blues, won the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2011. Washington Black won the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Esi lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Omnibus reader: Alex Lanipekun

A Sweet Talk Production first broadcast in five part on BBC Radio 4

1830: Washington Black's life changes with a new master at a Barbados plantation.

OMNI-02

20190127

20190128 (BBC7)

1830s slavery in Barbados: Titch's father might still be alive.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20190114		Set in the 1830s, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode One: It's 1830. Washington Black is a young field-slave working on the British-owned Faith plantation in Barbados. He is protected and helped by an older African woman, Big Kit. When a ruthless new master arrives at Faith, Wash's life changes forever. By Esi Edugyan. Wash's life changes when a new master arrives at Faith sugar plantation.
02	20190115		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Two: Washington and Big Kit experience the master's cruelty first-hand. His brother, Christopher Wilde, is uncomfortable with their treatment. Christopher, known as Titch, has an unexpected request for Washington, which will change the course of his life. By Esi Edugyan. The master's brother, Titch, has a request for Wash.
03	20190116		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Three: Titch makes preparations for the launch of his cloud-cutter - a prototype hot-air balloon. Washington has discovered that he has a rare artistic talent but, when Titch's cousin Philip arrives at the plantation, it has serious repercussions. By Esi Edugyan. Titch prepares for the launch of his cloud-cutter - a hot air balloon.
04	20190117		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Four: Philip has disturbing news for his cousins, Titch and Erasmus Wilde. Wash has been horribly disfigured by the accident with the cloud-cutter. Philip's depressive nature overcomes him - with disastrous consequences for Washington. By Esi Edugyan. Philip has disturbing news for Titch and Erasmus Wilde.
05	20190118		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Five: Following Philip's suicide, Wash and Titch have to leave Faith plantation as quickly as possible. But all does not go according to plan. By Esi Edugyan. After Philip's suicide, Wash and Titch have to leave.
06	20190121		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Six: Wash and Titch are now in America, staying with the English sexton Edgar Farrow. Titch must decide what to do next, having discovered that his father appears to be still alive and carrying out research in the Arctic. By Esi Edugyan. Wash and Titch are now in America.
07	20190122		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Seven: Wash and Titch have found Titch's father working in the Arctic. But the relationship between Titch and his father is both complicated and unsettling for Washington. By Esi Edugyan. Wash and Titch have found Titch's father working in the Arctic.
08	20190123		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Eight: Having been abandoned by Titch in the Arctic, Washington is on his own and working in a small town in Canada. He wonders if he will ever see his new friend Tanna again. By Esi Edugyan. Washington is in Canada. He wonders if he will see Tanna again.
09	20190124		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Nine: Just when all seems to be going well for him, Washington has to fight for his life. But Tanna and her father will be the means for him to start a new chapter. By Esi Edugyan. Washington has to fight for his life.
10 LAST	20190125		Set in the 1830's, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and, by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Wash, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world - in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. Episode Ten: With Tanna by his side, Washington goes in search of Titch, who he now believes is alive and well. His travels will take him far and wide but he has no idea what the reception will be if he finds him. By Esi Edugyan. Washington goes in search of Titch.
OMNI-01	20190120	20190121 (BBC7)	Set in the 1830s, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Washington Black, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world, in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. It is a novel that explores the nature of evil, moral delusion, and the limits of responsibility as well as being a coming-of-age story where survival marks the transition from boy to man. Esi Edugyan has degrees from the University of Victoria and Johns Hopkins University. Her first novel, The Second Life of Samuel Tyne - written when she was 25 - was published in 2004. Her second, Half Blood Blues, won the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2011. Washington Black won the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Esi lives in Victoria, British Columbia. Omnibus reader: Alex Lanipekun A Sweet Talk Production first broadcast in five part on BBC Radio 4 1830: Washington Black's life changes with a new master at a Barbados plantation.
OMNI-02	20190127	20190128 (BBC7)	Set in the 1830s, Washington Black is an epic, historical novel. It begins on a slave plantation in Barbados and by the most unexpected and inventive means, transports its young protagonist, Washington Black, off the island and on a journey that takes him around the world, in pursuit of freedom and the man whose approval he so desperately seeks. It is a novel that explores the nature of evil, moral delusion, and the limits of responsibility as well as being a coming-of-age story where survival marks the transition from boy to man. Esi Edugyan has degrees from the University of Victoria and Johns Hopkins University. Her first novel, The Second Life of Samuel Tyne - written when she was 25 - was published in 2004. Her second, Half Blood Blues, won the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2011. Washington Black won the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Esi lives in Victoria, British Columbia. 1830s slavery in Barbados: Titch's father might still be alive.