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The Strange Case of Lafcadio Hearn

Journalist Richard Dowden traces his mysterious ancestor, writer Lafcadio Hearn, who's a household name in Japan. From 1999.

Richard Dowden is the Africa editor for The Economist.

He’s setting out to trace his eminent yet mysterious ancestor, the writer Lafcadio Hearn, who is well known in Japan.

Richard is set to discover distant Japanese relatives, stories of pre-industrial traditions, and more about his famous relation.

Producer: Sara Jane Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999

30 minutes

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