Author:John Galsworthy,Full Cast,Dirk Bogarde,Diana Quick,Amanda Redman,Michael Williams,Maurice Denham,Sophie Thompson,Alan Howard,Michael Hordern
An epic BBC radio adaptation of John Galsworthy's complete Forsyte Chronicles, narrated by Dirk Bogarde and with an all-star cast
'Hallmarked with elegance and craftsmanship' The Evening Standard
First broadcast in 1990, this monumental adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning novel series was a radio event. It was the most expensive drama serial ever produced, featured one of the biggest, most star-studded casts and dominated the Radio 4 schedules for over 5 months, attracting over a million listeners each week.Comprising all nine books in Galsworthy's Forsyte Chronicles, it spans 50 years - from 1886 to 1936 - and tells the irresistible story of an upper-class dynasty torn apart by a terrible feud.
Wealthy, privileged and successful, the Forsytes seem to have it all. But the disastrous marriage of Irene and Soames Forsyte, and the dire consequences of one night and the next foggy day, are to split the family for generations. As the sins of the father are visited upon the children, the younger Forsytes - from Soames' daughter Fleur to her cousin Dinny Cherrell - find themselves doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past as they experience both the pain and the promise of love. Beset by emotional disasters, domestic dramas and society scandals, can the various members of this sprawling family ever find lasting happiness?
This sweeping tale of passion, power and money stars a host of outstanding actors, including Dirk Bogarde, Alan Howard, Michael Hordern, Diana Quick, Michael Williams, Maurice Denham, Amanda Redman and Sophie Thompson.
Cast and credits
Written by John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Chronicles
Galsworthy - Dirk Bogarde
Old Jolyon - Michael Hordern
Soames Forsyte - Alan Howard
Irene - Diana Quick
Young Jolyon - Michael Williams
James - Maurice Denham
Aunt Ann - Fabia Drake
Aunt Hester - Rachel Kempson
Aunt Juley - Renee Asherson
June - Angela Pleasence
Philip Bosinney - Michael Cochrane
Swithin - David March
Roger/Justice Bentham/Sir Luke Sharman/Adrian Cherrell - John Moffatt
George/Monsieur Profond - Christopher Good
Nicholas - John Gabriel
Emily - Maxine Audley
Winifred - Fiona Walker
Montague Dartie/Elderson - Donald Gee
Francie - Susan Sheridan
Mrs Macander/Mme Lamotte/Smither/American woman - Jo Kendall
Young Chankery - Charles Simpson
Waterbuck, QC/Timothy/Mr Settlewhite/Hilary Cherrell - David King
Annette - Shelley Thompson
Holly - Elizabeth Mansfield
Val - Dale Rapley
Jolly - Paul Downing
Dreamer/Francis/Francis Wilmot/Hubert Cherrell - Simon Treves
Polteed/Gradman/Cuthbert Mothergil/Editor/Foskisson/Blore - Brian Miller
Doctor/Lord Charles Ferrar/Lionel Cherrell/Neil Wintney/Mr Instone - James Greene
Fleur - Amanda Redman
Other Cast: Gary Cady, Gary Bond,Tara Dominick, Vincent Brimble, Nicholas Gilbrook, Sue Broomfield, Paul Daneman, Philip Sully, Stephen Garlick, John Bull, Danny Schiller, Belinda Lang, Jack May, Ben Onwukwe, David Bannerman, Ian Lindsay, Stuart McGuigan, Michael Kilgarriff, Catherine Furshpan, Christopher Scott, Garard Green, Mary Allen, Sophie Thompson, Dorothy Tutin, Peter Marinker, Moir Leslie, Danielle Allan, Paul Rattigan, Jack Klaff, Lois Burgess, Miranda Foster, Peter Howell, Aubrey Woods, Jody McDonald, James Warwick, David Yelland, Matthew Solon, Elizabeth Kelly, William Wortley, Henry Power, Leonard Fenton, Jenny Howe and Nigel Carrington
Dramatised by David Spenser, Shirley Gee and Elspeth Sandys
Directed by Janet Whitaker, Anthony Cornish and Sue Wilson
Series producer: Janet Whitaker
Pianist: Mary Nash
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 September 1990-2 March 1991
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Supple, artful, skilful storytelling - it takes an immediate grip on the reader's imagination and doesn't let go
—— Hilary MantelA brilliant novel about homecoming and the layered, unstable past that haunts and hurts . . . I admire it enormously
—— Colm TóibínAn impressive debut, atmospheric and unsettling
—— Telegraph, 5 starsA striking debut . . . A bold, interesting novel . . . I'm excited to see what Menon comes up with next
—— Sunday TimesA bravura debut novel . . . It's clever, satisfying, and often playful
—— GuardianThis is a book saturated with the sensations of southeast Asia; where, in Menon's pungent turns of phrase, you feel as though you could "grab the air in two hands and wring it out"; where guilt can be "squatting in the room . . . stringy as spit", and where tiger princes and jungle spirits lurk amid a painful colonial past
—— The Times, pick of the latest fictionA rich and moving family history takes shape, filled with love and heartache, guilt and grief, and no end of secrets and lies . . . Gripping, compelling . . . Menon's story shows that, though time flows on, history's waves still ripple decades downstream
—— EconomistMenon is a sparky storyteller whose thickly atmospheric debut keeps us guessing as its many ghosts press in ever closer
—— Daily MailA beautiful, richly textured absorbing read. I was utterly transported
—— Irenosen OkojieA propulsive debut scattered with gems of fresh and surprising imagery. Menon is at her best exploring the intricate bond between women over generations, their histories strung tight over the fraught realities of a nation coming into being
—— Preti TanejaAlways here for a cross-generational family story, especially one that involves moral ambivalence
—— Marian Keyes selection for her PageTurners top readsAn intriguing, fast-paced, imaginative novel
—— Bad FormA beautifully written story of one Indian Malaysian family's history, entwined with secrets and hidden heartbreak . . . Fragile Monsters is a story of homecoming which illustrates the tension of returning to a past which remains painfully present . . . a cleverly-crafted family saga which explores themes of truth, belonging and shame across multiple generations
—— Asian Review of BooksLeavened with a brisk, dry humour, Fragile Monsters is as propulsive as any mystery, with a bewitching sense of place . . . an accomplished feat of multi-stranded storytelling
—— Evening StandardLyrically beautiful writing
—— iSpellbinding
—— Tatler MalaysiaA story about love, betrayal and redemption with an electric daughter-grandmother relationship at its heart
—— Sheer Luxe, reading recommendationStorytelling at its very best
—— Daily MailEvocative, compelling, told from the heart
—— Sunday ExpressGlorious, heartwarming
—— Woman & HomeIntriguing, heart-tugging, beautifully written
—— Closer