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Clear Light of Day - Episode 1

The series that takes a look at books, plays and stories and how they work. John Yorke explores Anita Desai鈥檚 novel set in the upheaval of 20th century India, Clear Light of Day.

Set in the turbulent years of 20th century India, Anita Desai鈥檚 novel Clear Light of Day brings us a story of family and political upheaval in the blistering heat of Old Delhi. John Yorke unpicks the threads that hold both family and community together until they fray and fall apart. From an opening in the 1980s, we are taken backwards and forwards in time to find loyalties and tensions amongst siblings set against the backdrop of India鈥檚 turbulent history.

The most significant event for India was Partition, when India became an independent country and Pakistan was created as a homeland for the Muslim communities. The divisions and ethnic violence unleashed run through the country and the Das family.

Clear Light of Day presents us with two sisters, Tara and Bim, meeting back at home after Tara has returned from Washington DC. One has chosen a path abroad, the other to stay at home and look after her brother who needs constant care. The family is Hindu, but another brother has left to live hundreds of miles away having married into a Muslim family. It鈥檚 when we are taken back to their childhood lives that we come to really understand who they are and what binds them together.

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatized in 成人快手 Radio 4鈥檚 Sunday Drama series. From EastEnders to The Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of 成人快手 Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world鈥檚 most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful 成人快手 Writers Academy John has trained a generation of screenwriters.

Includes archive clips of Anita Desai from The View from Here, 成人快手 Radio 4, 18.02.95

Contributor : Kamila Shamsie, author

Researcher: Nina Semple
Production Manager: Sarah Wright
Sound: Sean Kerwin
Reader: Aarushi Ganju
Producer: Mark Rickards
Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for 成人快手 Radio 4

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Sun 18 Aug 2024 14:45

Broadcast

  • Sun 18 Aug 2024 14:45

Podcast