Author:John Dryden,Mike Walker,John Sessions,Raad Rawi,Full Cast,Danny Ashok,Anton Lesser,Matthew Marsh,Alexander Siddig,Rufus Wright,Olivia Popica,Nabil Elouahabi
An engrossing, expansive historical fantasy drama, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt
Tumanbay: the wealthiest city on earth. The beating heart of a vast empire. A city of dreams, where those who once arrived as slaves now hold power, and merchants, artists and warriors live side-by-side in peace. But this magnificent city is under threat. A rebellion in a far-off province, led by 'Queen' Maya, is gathering strength - and a mysterious force is devouring the empire from within.
Gregor, a merciless spymaster and Master of the Palace Guard, is charged by Sultan Al-Ghuri to crush the insurgence, as his brother General Qulan is dispatched to quell the provincial insurrection. But as well as rooting out traitors, Gregor must contend with his arch-rival, the cunning Grand Vizier, Cadali. Meanwhile, Heaven, the 14-year-old daughter of slave merchant Ibn, is adrift at sea, captive to an escaped slave on whom she depends for her survival. Madu, the Sultan's spoilt nephew, also has to grow up quickly as he swaps palace life for the army...
As the wheel of fate turns, Tumanbay's fortunes suffer a terrible reversal. Beset by plague, assassins, invasion, occupation and revolution, the once-great city is riven by political intrigue and power struggles. As rulers are toppled and tyrants fall, who will survive and thrive - and who will die?
A Game of Thrones-style epic with the sweep of The Arabian Nights, this compelling story of love, revenge, betrayal and deception won the Best Audio Serial Gold Award at the New York Radio Festival. Among the impressive ensemble cast are Rufus Wright, Olivia Popica, Matthew Marsh, Alexander Siddig, John Sessions, Hiran Abeysekera, Aiysha Hart, Anton Lesser, Tara Fitzgerald, Enzo Cilenti and Rob Jarvis.
Production credits
Created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt
Written by John Scott Dryden, Mike Walker and Mac Rogers
Directed by John Scott Dryden
Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden
Original music by Sacha Puttnam
Additional music by Jon Ouin
Sound Design: Steve Bond, Jon Ouin and Eloise Whitmore
Sound Recording by Joe Richardson and Laurence Farr
Sound Edited by James Morgan and Andrea Gomez
Editors: Ania Przygoda and James Morgan
A Goldhawk Production for BBC Radio 4
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
A captivating read
—— Woman's WeeklyA woman’s lot was shocking in the 1850s as this Cooksonlike saga brilliantly describes... Have some tissues handy!
—— Peterborough Telegraph on A Shilling for a WifeReaders love Emma Hornby:
'Similar to Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court, Emma Hornby tells a brilliant story that will keep you guessing with twists and turns. Pure talent.'
'Emma Hornby's books just keep getting better and better. Honest, gritty, lovely characters.'
'Keep writing Emma, you are very talented and can't wait for your next book. I've read them all.'
'Emma is a wonderful storyteller and I can't wait for the next one!'
'Thank you again Emma Hornby for a captivating read'
'Another beautifully written story by Emma Hornby'
Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages
—— Woman[Grossman gives] vivid voice to each of the characters as they navigate their pain, both present and past... Grossman's 12 previous novels and five volumes of non-fiction have brought him renown on both sides of the Atlantic. This book will earn him more.
—— Economist[A] concisely devastating novel... [Grossman] has demonstrated again that the novel - elastic, expansive, amenable to painful fragmentation - can provide a space for the most harrowing and resistant material.
—— Alex Clark , GuardianNobody can see the political in the personal like David Grossman. He is an interpreter of hearts and an investigator of social forces. Every book he writes is a revelation.
—— Juan Gabriel VásquezA moving exploration of the power of love, secrets and forgiveness. A sweeping narrative rooted in a deep faith in humanity.
—— Hephzibah Anderson , Mail on SundayGrossman is surely now the greatest living Israeli writer. And his new novel, More Than I Love My Life, is arguable his best yet... what makes the book so powerful and complex is not just the daughters' refusal to forgive, but the way Grossman lets the story unfold.
—— David Herman , Jewish ChronicleA meditation on love, on memory, and on the power of storytelling.
—— Ángel Gurría-Quitana , Financial Times, *Books of the Year*The reader is invested from the start . . . So poetically elegant as to be breathtaking . . . Life Sentences is writing at its finest.
—— Claire Fullerton , New York Journal of BooksO'Callaghan's prose is mesmerising in its beauty . . . Profound, moving, sometimes shocking, [Life Sentences is] from the pen of a writer at the top of his game.
—— Anne Cunningham , Meath ChronicleOne of the most beautiful books of the year.
—— Sam Blake, #1 Irish Times bestselling author of the Cat Connolly trilogyThe novel I most look forward to is Billy O'Callaghan's Life Sentences.
—— Maggie Fergusson , Tablet *Highlights of 2021*The accomplished writer . . . O'Callaghan has proved an empathic and expert diviner of the extraordinary in ordinary lives.
—— Marjorie Brennan , Irish ExaminerAn absolutely stunning book . . . A truly beautiful read.
—— Sinéad MoriartyA gifted storyteller.
—— Donal O'Donoghue , RTÉ GuideA terrific family saga.
—— Village BookshelfA lyrical prose reminiscent of William Trevor, and a haunting family drama.
—— Times Literary SupplementOne of the most exciting literary talents to emerge in the last decade.
—— Irish Examiner
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