Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The English | 20190527 | 20230724 (BBC7) 20230725 (BBC7) | Tracy Ann Oberman reads Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present, from the 1901 Boer War to 2010. Inspired by real events, it explores South Africa's hidden colonial history as well as its shocking present-day darkness, Beginning in 1901, the height of the second Boer War, and Sarah van der Watt and her son wait in fear for the English to arrive at their farm.... Abridged in ten parts by Richard Hamilton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019. It's 1901, and the English are coming. |
| 02 | Bloemenfontein | 20190528 | 20230725 (BBC7) 20230726 (BBC7) | After destroying her farm, the English take Sarah van der Watt and her son to the Bloemfontein Camp, where, all too soon, it becomes clear it'll be a matter of survival... Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present, from the 1901 Boer War to 2010. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019. The harsh reality of the Bloemenfontein Camp, where survival is key. |
| 03 | Decisions | 20190529 | 20230726 (BBC7) 20230727 (BBC7) | After nearly a month in the Bloemenfontein Camp, life is becoming increasingly desperate. And Sarah must decide how far she's prepared to go to save her son. Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019. A life or death decision in the Bloemenfontein Camp. |
| 04 | Johannesburg | 20190530 | 20230727 (BBC7) 20230728 (BBC7) | Johannesburg, 1976, and Rayna Brandt is making her way as a single mother in South Africa, still under Apartheid. But life for white and black South Africans is changing fast. Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019. 1976, Johannesburg: times are changing fast. |
| 05 | Elections | 20190531 | 20230728 (BBC7) 20230729 (BBC7) | It's 1994, and as the crowds, black and white, queue to vote in the General Election, life is also about to change for Rayna and her daughter Irma. Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019. It's 1994, and crowds, black and white, queue to vote in the General Election. |
| 06 | Adjustments | 20190603 | 20230731 (BBC7) 20230801 (BBC7) | It's 2006, and both white and black South Africans are adjusting to the end of Apartheid. And 12-year old, Britney-loving Willem fears he's about to get a new stepdad. Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged in ten parts by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. 2006: Everyone's adjusting to apartheid's end and one boy fears getting a new stepdad. |
| 07 | Haunted | 20190604 | 20230801 (BBC7) 20230802 (BBC7) | It's 2009, and Willem is on his way to visit the Anglo-Boer Museum in Bloemfontein. It's a trip that will haunt him in so many ways... Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. 2009: Willem visits the Anglo-Boer Museum - a trip that will haunt him in so many ways. |
| 08 | Camp | 20190605 | 20230802 (BBC7) 20230803 (BBC7) | It's 2010, and 16-year-old outsider Willem arrives at the New Dawn Safari Training Camp. It's here that they guarantee to 'make men out of boys'... Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. 2010: Outsider Willem arrives at the training Camp, where they 'make men out of boys'. |
| 09 | The General | 20190606 | 20230803 (BBC7) 20230804 (BBC7) | When Willem comes face-to-face with the General at his homestead, he starts to wonder whether he'll get out of the camp alive. Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Read by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. Willem starts to wonder whether he'll get out of the camp alive. |
| 10 | Punishment | 20190607 | 20230804 (BBC7) 20230805 (BBC7) | After their failed escape bid, Willem and Geldenhuys are beaten and thrown into the hellish Bird Cage. Rather than being made into men at the New Dawn Safari Camp, they can now only hope to escape with their lives... Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Concluded by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. After a failed escape, Willem and Geldenhuys are thrown into the hellish Bird Cage. |
| 10 LAST | Punishment | 20190607 | After their failed escape bid, Willem and Geldenhuys are beaten and thrown into the hellish Bird Cage. Rather than being made into men at the New Dawn Safari Camp, they can now only hope to escape with their lives... Damian Barr's blistering debut novel, spanning 100 years of South Africa's dark past and present. Concluded by Tracy Ann Oberman. Abridged by Richard Hamilton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019. After a failed escape, Willem and Geldenhuys are thrown into the hellish Bird Cage. |