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Last Days of Grace
Last Days of Grace
Oct 8, 2024 1:33 AM

Author:Nick Warburton,Kenneth Cranham,Christopher Martin-Jenkins,Benedict Cumberbatch

Last Days of Grace

A cricketing legend faces his final innings in this moving BBC radio drama starring Kenneth Cranham and Benedict Cumberbatch

Easter Monday, 1908, and there's snow on the ground as ageing icon W.G. Grace arrives at the Oval to contemplate another day in his lifelong cricketing obsession. He can't face the thought of sitting in the clubhouse and meeting the same old people - so instead, he trudges out in the cold to the groundsman's hut, where he encounters a young stranger.

Their talk turns, naturally, to cricket, and the two men recall the highlights of Grace's long career: his debut for the All-England team in 1866, when he made 100 runs on the first day, and his first Test Match at the Oval in 1880 where he scored 152 against Australia, becoming England's first centurion.

But those triumphs occurred decades ago, and Grace no longer dominates the world of cricket as he once did. At nearly 60, he knows in his heart that it's time to retire, but he cannot bear the idea of giving up the game he loves. Can the stranger persuade him to bow out with dignity?

Written by Nick Warburton, who won the 2007 Peter Tinniswood Award for Best New Play on Radio, this poignant, bittersweet drama stars Kenneth Cranham as Grace, with Benedict Cumberbatch as the young man and Christopher Martin-Jenkins as the Voice of Cricket.

Produced by Steven Canny

Cast

W.G. Grace - Kenneth Cranham

GF - Benedict Cumberbatch

Voice of Cricket - Christopher Martin-Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 24 September 2008

Reviews

Brilliant and daring

—— Tobias Jones, Guardian

Utterly gripping. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

—— Rory Smith, New York Times

A fascinating insight into the clockwork of what it means to be an elite athlete, always pushing at the edge of possibility. Like a good runner, Caesar carries the story along with grace and ease and generosity. He brings us to Kenya, New York, London, and Berlin, but ultimately allows us to look inside ourselves. It's the human story that shines through

—— Colum McCann

I didn't think any book could make me interested in marathon running. Two Hours did that and much more. Ed Caesar's in-depth reporting explores one of sport's ultimate questions: is there a final human boundary and, if so, where? A terrific book: elegant, engaging and rewarding

—— Ed Smith, former England cricketer, Times Columnist and author of Luck

This book explodes out of the blocks, continues at a terrific clip, never flags and breasts the tape victorious, its arms in the air. Like the best foot race, it is tight, pacy and riveting. A brilliant debut. Give the man a medal and a bunch of flowers

—— Esquire

Lyrical and passionate... a celebration of the human spirit and what it can achieve

—— Observer

A delight to read. The definitive book on professional marathon running

—— Independent on Sunday

Marvellous. Caesar's reportage has the feel of the very best of American journalism - as if he has researched the matter to hell, spent his time in the field, nailed down every fact, then bashed it out on a typewriter with a cigarette smouldering in his mouth

—— Sunday Times

'Two Hours is a kind of "Hoop Dreams" for runners'

—— Spectator

Fascinating, timely, meticulously researched... this exploration of one of the great sporting quests of modern times will inspire anyone with a pair of trainers to go for a run

—— Observer

Caesar is very good on the personalities, mixing the art and science of distance running with vignettes about the athletes

—— Matthew Syed , The Times

A fine, engaging study of human endurance and the competitive spirit of marathon runners. Caesar wears his considerable research into most aspects of the marathon - its history, science, and the spectre of performance-enhancing drugs - with a loping, easy style

—— Independent

Fascinating. Will be enjoyed by anyone who has completed long runs along canals, through parks and down suburban streets

—— Daily Telegraph

'Zippy, engaging, stylish, evocative'

—— Financial Times

There is much spirit in Two Hours and much human warmth

—— New Statesman

'Two Hours breaks new ground'

—— Economist

Intelligent, thoughtful

—— Irish Times

Caesar has established himself as perhaps the best new long-form magazine writer since the arrival of John Jeremiah Sullivan

—— Richard Williams , Guardian

This sequel sees the pair trying unsatisfactorily to readjust to normal life before finding ways to reharness nature's healing power

—— Telegraph

Moving. A must-read for anyone inspired by The Salt Path . . . another thoughtful memoir

—— Good Housekeeping

The quality of Winn's writing draws us through the story with the same emotional honesty, lyricism and warmth that epitomises The Salt Path

—— Resurgence & Ecologist

A poignant and passionate, grounded yet uplifting journey of discovery in which we learn what can be found after all seems lost, The Wild Silence is a testament to the transformative power of nature and the fresh hope it nurtures within ourselves

—— Steven McKenzie, editor of The Big Issue

Picks up the story where Winn's astonishing The Salt Path left off

—— The New European

Wise, unflinching, exquisite prose

—— Rachel Joyce

Luminous and touching

—— Foyles

Raynor Winn's story has become the stuff of legend

—— Cornwall Life

Writing with such honesty is a trademark of [Winn's] style

—— The Marshwood Vale Magazine

'9 new books to read this September'

—— SheerLuxe

Powerful

—— Writers Forum

Beautiful

—— Herald

'Country Life Book of the Week'

—— Country Life

Down to earth yet astonishing . . . touching

—— This England

So beautifully told

—— i

Want a book that's going to leave you chilled to the bone? This is it!

—— Fabulous Magazine

Sarah Pearse's chilling debut is making waves. The Sanatorium certainly has an eerie, cinematic appeal [...] With whispers of The Shining in setting and The Girl on the Train in pace.

—— Vanity Fair

I absolutely loved The Sanatorium - it gave me all the wintry thrills and chills. It was just wonderful.

—— Lucy Foley, bestselling author of THE HUNTING PARTY and THE GUEST LIST

Genuinely scary and deliciously atmospheric, and one of the best books of 2021, this international bestseller is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.

—— Woman & Home

What a page-turner! Like Agatha Christie crossed with Scandi noir, and doing with Swiss mountains what Jane Harper books do with the Australian outback. Loved it, and can't wait for the next Elin book!

—— Andrea Mara, author of ALL HER FAULT
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