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The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories
The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories
Oct 10, 2024 6:29 AM

Author:Lynne Reid Banks,Various,Full Cast,Lynne Seymour,John McAndrew,Rachel Atkins,Anne Rosenfeld,Manning Wilson,Sian Philips,Bill Wallis

The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories

A full-cast adaptation of Lynne Reid Banks' bestselling novel, plus sequel The Backward Shadow and more

Award-winning author Lynne Reid Banks is perhaps best known for her classic children's book The Indian in the Cupboard. But it was her groundbreaking debut novel for adults, The L-Shaped Room, that made her name. First published in 1960, it was an instant success, and has been in print ever since. This collection contains both The L-Shaped Room and sequel The Backward Shadow, as well as two stories specially written for BBC radio and a bonus edition of Bookclub.

The L-Shaped Room - Jane is young, middle-class, single - and pregnant. Thrown out by her parents, she rents a squalid bedsit, where she struggles to overcome both her own prejudices and those of 1950s society. Starring Lynne Seymour as Jane, with John McAndrew as Toby.

The Backward Shadow - Living with her baby in a cottage inherited from her aunt, Jane's quiet life is shaken up by the arrival of her friend Dottie and the reappearance of Toby, the love of her life ... Lynne Seymour stars as Jane, with Rachel Atkins as Dottie.

Who Shall I Run To? - Sally recalls how she and ex-husband Jeremy celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Paris. Read by Siân Phillips.

Lame Duck - Anne and her artist husband Lionel have three boys, and little time for going out - so they decide to take in a lodger who might be prepared to babysit occasionally. Sadly, things do not work out as planned... Starring Anne Rosenfeld as Anne and Manning Wilson as Lionel.

Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks - Readers talk to the celebrated author about The L-Shaped Room, describing what it means to them and how it has changed their lives. Chaired by James Naughtie.

Text copyright © Lynne Reid Banks 1960 (The L-Shaped Room), 1970 (The Backward Shadow), 1978 (Lame Duck), 2005 (Who Shall I Run To?)

Cast and credits

Written by Lynne Reid Banks

The L-Shaped Room

Jane - Lynne Seymour

Toby - John McAndrew

John - Trevor Laird

Father - Bill Wallis

Doris - Nickie Rainsford

Mavis - Marie Gordon Price

James - Simon Armstrong

Dr Maxwell - John Rowe

Jane 2/Dottie - Rachel Atkins

Boss - Dave Bond

Dr Graham - Richard Mitchley

Terry - Robert Bowman

Addy - Shirley Dixon

Dramatised by Juliet Ace

Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February-5 March 2004

The Backward Shadow

Jane - Lynne Seymour

Dottie - Rachel Atkins

Toby - John McAndrew

Henry - Simon Ludders

Father/Ted - Don McCorkindale

Billy Lee - Lesley Rooney

Alan - Keiron Self

Mrs Stephens - Manon Edwards

Dora - Siriol Jenkins

John - Trevor Laird

Joanna - Nickie Rainsford

Dramatised by Juliet Ace

Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-27 May 2005

Who Shall I Run To?

Read by Siân Phillips

Produced by Emma Harding

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 2005

Lame Duck

Cliff - Christopher Guard

Anne - Anne Rosenfeld

Lionel - Manning Wilson

Jamie - Judy Bennett

Terry - Delia Morgan

Dan - Elizabeth Lindsay

Jacky - Karen Archer

Mr Brent, a publican - Bruce Beeby

Mrs Brent - Jane Knowles

Directed by David B Godfrey

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 January 1978

Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks

Presented by James Naughtie

With Lynne Reid Banks and a live studio audience

Produced by Dymphna Flynn

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 June 2010

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

It's no mystery or secret how much I enjoy Lawrence Chaney.

—— RuPaul

Lawrence Chaney is queen of the one-liner and the funniest queen by a country mile. She has delivered the laughs a locked down nation needed in abundance. But there's much more to Chaney than her quick wit. Her vulnerability is also part of her natural gift.

—— Vogue

Gorgeous, hugely talented, funny, charismatic, adorable, Chaney is a goddess and brings us joy.

—— Lorraine Kelly

If you were obsessed with Lawrence when they were competing on Drag Race (and who wasn't?), you'll want to get yourself a copy asap

—— Cosmopolitan

Hilarious... gives a fresh perspective on the autobiographical drag queen format. Lawrence shares some of her most intricate and personal stories, as well as her extremely professional opinion on various subjects such as concocting a drag name, mental health and dating.

—— Gay Times

Our fabulous queen has arrived. Go Lawrence!

—— Douglas Scott, author of Shuggie Bain

A candid look back at Lawrence's journey so far - their difficult childhood, marred by bullying; their painfully relatable coming out story; their journey towards better mental health. It's not all serious - there are hilarious, NSFW sex stories, insights into the Drag Race UK werk room, and a practical guide on how to become - as the title suggests - a drag superstar.

—— Pink News

Tackles everything from gender identity, the thrill of a wig and why Scottish talent is often overlooked.

—— i News

Fantastic... feisty, opinionated and honest.

—— Daily Record

Full of one-liners and charm, this cheery memoir comes complete with valuable life lessons and tricks of the trade. Absolutely fabulous fun.

—— Best Magazine

With sky-high wigs and pin-sharp wit, Lawrence is one of the UK's most loved drag acts. Here the season two winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK explains how humour is a lifesaver.

—— Daily Express

A beautifully touching and thought provoking novel interspersed with Jenkins Reid's trademark wit and humour.

—— Essential Marbella Magazine

Malibu Rising is as much an impressionistic whirl of neon sunsets, acid-wash denim and high-cut bikinis as it is a grand set piece about a glamorous party ... Jenkins Reid has an easy, breezy style that serves melodrama on a daring scale . . . Never has so much sex, tragedy, celebrity and tanned skin been crammed into one thinking person's beach read. It's 365 pages of pure exhilaration.

—— The Times

Perfect for whatever holiday you hopefully get to take this summer.

—— Irish Independent

A riveting, propulsive bookwith characters that stayed with me, not because they are complicated but because they are so vivid ... Full of warmth and tenderness ... Deliciously escapist, conjuring the sun and the sand.

—— i paper

A gorgeous, sun-soaked novel that delves into the glamour and desperate hope of 1980s Malibu.

—— The Skinny

Fast-paced and addictive, Reid's vivid world-building provides the ultimate in summer escapism. With touches of 1980s glamour and scandal, Malibu Rising is another thrilling read from a talented writer, sure to delight old fans, as well as winning her new ones.

—— Independent

Perfectly evoking the sun-drenched and debauched backdrop that made Daisy Jones and The Six so immersive ... Addictive and fun, it's an essential addition to your summer reading list.

—— Stylist

Hot off the success of the immensely enjoyable 1970s band story Daisy Jones & The Six comes Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest, a superfun foray into the 1980s ... Delicious.

—— Sunday Telegraph, Novel of the Week

Simmering with sexual tension, this hugely enjoyable ensemble narrative turns on a raucous party.

—— Mail on Sunday

Malibu Rising is finely crafted commercial fiction, escapism in high definition, a quintessential beach read... If Nina Riva's party is the hottest ticket of the summer, then Malibu Rising is a front-row seat at the main event.

—— Irish Times

A gorgeous, sun-soaked novel that delves into the glamour and desperate hope of 1980s Malibu, and the saga of a family that will never be the same again.

—— The Skinny

The perfect summer novel, a vibrant story filled with sun, surfing, and flawed but lovable characters.

—— Daily Beast

After a year where most people stayed home, it's a great time to escape to the beach, even if only through Reid's writing.

—— Independent

This glamourous, compulsive novel is best enjoyed from your sun lounger with a cocktail in hand.

—— Good Housekeeping

A deliciously decadent tale of sex, tragedy, celebrity, surfboards and tanned skin in 1980s Malibu.

—— The Times

I absolutely loved her book.... It's an absolute blast to read

—— Alice- Azania Jarvis

JACKIE COLLINS, BUT BETTER Sacrilege to say "better", I know, but there we are. Set in the 1980s, Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising is wonderfully written, intensely evocative and concerns the model/ surfer children of a rock star. Tons of glamour, tons of sharply observed insights about sibling relationships, plus a massive party. Beach read par excellence. See also her brilliant Daisy Jones & the Six, which is heaven (more rock stars).

—— Anonymous

When we picked up Malibu Rising, the new novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, we could barely put it down

—— That's Life

You'll never want this book to end, it will suck you in and spit you out!

—— Muddy Stilettos
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