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Written in her 90s, Diana Athill debunks the myth that Britain in the 1940s and 50s was a mire of dreariness.

Stephanie Cole reads from a collection of essays by acclaimed writer Diana Athill.

Written from the vantage point of her late 90s, Athill's essays are wise, cheering and thought-provoking.

They range from gentle (her love of beautiful clothes), heartbreaking (the miscarriage of a much-wanted child) to salutary (her difficult decision to relinquish her independence and move into a care home).

In this first essay, "Post-War", Athill delights in debunking the myth that Britain in the 1940s and 1950s was a mire of dreariness.

A young woman when the war broke out, peace and its aftermath was a time of joy, freedom and optimism.

Diana Athill's book, first published in 2015.

Read by Stephanie Cole

Abridged in five parts and produced by Kirsteen Cameron

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.

Photo credit: Mark Crick

15 minutes

On radio

Tomorrow 08:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Credits

Reader Stephanie Cole
Author Diana Athill
Abridger Kirsteen Cameron
Producer Kirsteen Cameron

Broadcasts

  • Mon 7 Dec 2015 09:45
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Tue 8 Dec 2015 00:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 18 Dec 2017 14:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 19 Dec 2017 02:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tomorrow 08:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tomorrow 13:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tomorrow 19:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tuesday 03:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra