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The Amateur Emigrant

In pursuit of the woman he loves, Stevenson heads to New York for a momentous train journey to California. Stars David Tennant.

By Mike Harris.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic travelogues, journals and personal letters.

In pursuit of the woman he loves Stevenson first catches a steamer to New York and then undertakes a momentous train journey across America - ending in California. But will she leave her husband for him.

In 1879 and 1880, three years before he was to write 'Treasure Island', Robert Louis Stevenson was a largely unpublished and unsuccessful writer.

Despite his father's wishes, however, he saw his life in literature. In 1876, he had met Fanny Osbourne the woman who was to become his lover and later his wife. At the time of their meeting Fanny was escaping from America with her children - away from a husband who only brought her misery through his serial infidelities.
One of Stevenson's earliest publications was an essay 'On Falling in Love' for The Cornhill magazine.

In 1878 Fanny decided that she had to return to America and to her husband. Stevenson embarked on a walk through the Cevennes with a donkey in 1879 which was later to be published as 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes' and in August of the same year he resolved to follow Fanny to America.

His journey was also published - most particularly in 'The Amateur Emigrant'.

Mike Harris' two plays portray these two enormously significant journeys and attempt to capture Stevenson's feelings for Fanny and how they affected him on his travels.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for 成人快手 Radio 4.

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Aug 2014 04:15

Credits

Role Contributor
Robert Louis Stevenson David Tennant
Fanny Lizzy McInnerny
Sam Matthew Marsh
Irish Conductor Forbes Masson
RLS Father Nigel Cooke
Joshua Nigel Cooke
Dutch Woman Jane Slavin
Milk Woman Jane Slavin
Belle Lottie Rice
Nose in a Book Danny Webb
Schoffelheimer Danny Webb
NY Conductor Chinna Wodu
Chicago Telegraph Man Chinna Wodu
Ogden Conductor Chinna Wodu
Writer Mike Harris
Producer Clive Brill

Broadcasts

  • Thu 27 Oct 2011 14:15
  • Thu 23 Aug 2012 14:15
  • Thu 14 Aug 2014 11:15
  • Fri 15 Aug 2014 04:15

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Do you have a story to tell ? Do you love writing for radio ?

Do you have a story to tell ? Do you love writing for radio ?

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