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Merivel arrives at Versailles but gaining an audience with Louis, or even finding a bed, proves more difficult than anticipated. Read by Nicholas Woodeson.

Rose Tremain returns triumphantly to one of her best loved characters, in the long awaited sequel to her Booker short-listed best-selling novel, Restoration, published in 1989.

Seventeen years after the events related in Restoration, Merivel, a man of wit, wisdom and not a little passion, is facing a crisis. Life on his Norfolk estate and as a physician, a father and sometimes a fool to his adored King Charles 11,is no longer enough. Not only are he, and his loyal servant Will, ageing, but his beloved daughter Margaret is seventeen and will soon fly the nest. Even the King is failing. How can he reinvigorate his life?

In today's episode, Merivel arrives at the most glittering court in Europe - Versailles - but gaining an audience with Louis- or even finding a bed - proves more difficult than anticipated!

The reader is the stage and screen actor Nicholas Woodeson.
The abridger was Sally Marmion and the producer was Di Speirs.

15 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 19 Sep 2012 22:45
  • Wed 1 Aug 2018 14:00
  • Thu 2 Aug 2018 02:00

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