A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

The Book of Strange New Things

A full-cast dramatisation of Michel Faber's powerful sci-fi masterpiece, set in the near future, in which devoted husband Peter faces the mission of a lifetime.

MICHEL FABER is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author of critically acclaimed novels, novellas and short stories, including The Crimson Petal and the White, The Book of Strange New Things, Under the Skin and the poetry collection, Undying: A Love Story. His latest work of fiction, D (A Tale of Two Worlds) is a modern-day fantasy fable which also commemorates the 150th anniversary of Charles Dickens's death. As well as tipping its hat to Dickens, it acknowledges its debt to James Thurber's The Wonderful O, C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Michel Faber was born in the Netherlands, grew up in Australia, spent twenty-five years in the far north of Scotland, and now lives on the south coast of England.

A BBC Radio adaptation of Michel Faber’s science fiction masterpiece, starring Dougray Scott, Joe Armstrong and Hayley Atwell 
 
Peter is a devoted husband and man of faith who is called to the mission of a lifetime – one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Beatrice. Hired as a preacher by an enigmatic corporation called USIC, he must leave behind everything he loves to travel to the far distant planet of Oasis, where the company has its base. 
 
The native inhabitants – a gentle, peaceable community – welcome Peter to their settlement, and are eager to hear the teachings of the Bible, which they call ‘The Book of Strange New Things’. As he becomes acquainted with his new flock, he tells them about where he has come from, and shows them photos of life on Earth. 
 
But in his absence, climate change has wreaked devastation on Peter’s home planet. Letters from his wife tell of food shortages, natural disasters and societal breakdown – and as survival on Earth becomes more and more difficult, the distance between Peter and Beatrice grows ever vaster. As their relationship is put under increasing strain, can they find a way to reconnect with each other? 
 
Winner of the Saltire Book of the Year Award 2015, The Book of Strange New Things is an extraordinary, unforgettable tale of love, faith and what happens when both are tested to breaking point. This mesmerising dramatisation stars Dougray Scott as the Narrator, Joe Armstrong as Peter and Hayley Atwell as Beatrice. 
 
Cast and credits 
Narrator – Dougray Scott 
Peter – Joe Armstrong 
Beatrice – Hayley Atwell 
Grainger – Kelly Burke 
Oasan/Tuska – Mark Edel-Hunt 
Jesus Lover Number One/Severin – Michael Bertenshaw 
Jesus Lover Number Five/BG – Damian Lynch 
Jesus Lover Number Four – David Acton 
USIC Psychologist – Jane Slavin 
USIC Doctor – Elaine Claxton 
Other parts played by members of the company 
 
Written by Michel Faber 
Adapted by Miranda Emmerson 
Directed by Emma Harding 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6-17 October 2014

Michel Faber

Glorious. There is such personal and political outrage about the world. But what makes it feel like a Real Story, one that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come, is Dhikilo, a fabulous heroine and a real person on the page. Her adventure and bravery as she attempts to restore a missing letter to the world is beautifully written and delightfully told. I loved it

In this rather ebullient and lovely new novel by Michel Faber ... older children and fully-grown adults will certainly find much to relish in it

Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm

Part  affectionate homage, part exhuberant fan fiction, YA readers will love it, but Faber's brio and bubbly ingenuity will delight adult readers too

STUART KELLY, EDINBURGH LITERARY FESTIVAL 2020

If ever a book like this was needed, it is now. Dhikilo is a splendid heroine for our time: She stands for kindness, honesty and humanity. Her triumph will have readers rejoicing

Testament to his storytelling gift and to the charm and the warmth of his writing

The deadpan style makes this more funny than scary. Faber's acknowledged debt to James Thurber's O is clear. It's very enjoyable

A dazzling modern adventure story from the acclaimed and bestselling author

NEIL GAIMAN: 'Glorious. A story that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come' 
A celebration of friendship, courage and imagination inspired by Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz. 
__________________________ 
It all starts on the morning the letter D disappears from the language. 
 First, it vanishes from her parents' conversation at breakfast, then from the road signs outside. Soon the local dentist and the neighbour's Dalmatian are missing, and even the Donkey Derby has been called off. 
 
 Though she doesn't know why, Dhikilo is summoned to the home of her old history teacher Professor Dodderfield and his faithful Labrador, Nelly Robinson. And this is where our story really begins. 
 
 Set between England and the wintry land of Liminus, a world enslaved by the monstrous Gamp and populated by fearsome, enchanting creatures, D (Tale of Two Worlds) is a mesmerising tale of friendship and bravery in an uncertain world. Told with simple beauty and warmth, its celebration of moral courage and freethinking is a powerful reminder of our human capacity for strength, hope and justice. 
'Dhikilo is a splendid heroine for our time: She stands for kindness, honesty and humanity' DIANE SETTERFIELD 
'Young adult readers will love it, but Faber's brio and bubbly ingenuity will delight adult readers too.' Daily Mail

Michel Faber

Praise for D (A Tale of Two Worlds)

Glorious. There is such personal and political outrage about the world. But what makes it feel like a Real Story, one that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come, is Dhikilo, a fabulous heroin ...

In this rather ebullient and lovely new novel by Michel Faber ... older children and fully-grown adults will certainly find much to relish in it

Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm

Glorious. There is such personal and political outrage about the world. But what makes it feel like a Real Story, one that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come, is Dhikilo, a fabulous heroin ...

In this rather ebullient and lovely new novel by Michel Faber ... older children and fully-grown adults will certainly find much to relish in it

Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm

Glorious. There is such personal and political outrage about the world. But what makes it feel like a Real Story, one that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come, is Dhikilo, a fabulous heroin ...

In this rather ebullient and lovely new novel by Michel Faber ... older children and fully-grown adults will certainly find much to relish in it

Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm

Books by Michel Faber

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter