Elizabeth Taylor: A BBC Radio Collection

Elizabeth Taylor was an accomplished novelist and short story writer, celebrated for her witty observations on ordinary life. Her stories frequently centred around relationships and appeared in Vogue, The New Yorker and Harper’s Bazaar.

Widely considered ‘underrated’ within the literary community – not least due to the fame of her Hollywood namesake – she was named by Kingsley Amis as ‘one of the best English novelists’ of the twentieth century.

This collection includes three dramatised novels and seventeen short stories, several of which are abridged.

Dramatisations

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont – Recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at London’s Claremont Hotel seeking a peaceful residence to live out her remaining days. Boredom and loneliness are her frequent companions, staved off with crumbs of gossip and the charming chatter of her fellow guests. Life is winding down – until she meets young Ludo, a writer who believes her story is worth telling… Adapted by James Duckett and starring Jean Anderson and Tony Robinson.

A Wreath of Roses – A sinister encounter at a railway station at the start of her holiday disturbs Camilla and spirals into a dark relationship from which she cannot escape. Angela Pleasence, Peter Acre and Rosalie Crutchley star in this dramatisation by Olwen Wymark.

In a Summer Season – Wealthy Kate Heron causes a sensation in her conservative community when she falls for a younger man and marries him. Her friends, by turns envious and pitying, speculate whether her new-found happiness can last beyond one golden summer, and question what true love really means. Dramatised by Jennifer Howarth, with stars Kate Buffery, Chris Garner and Michael Fenton Stevens.

Short Stories
The Idea of Age
Plenty Good Fiesta
The Blush
The Letter Writers
Spry Old Characters
The Benefactress
A Dedicated Man
Hotel Du Commerce
The Devastating Boys
Sisters
Swan Moving
Simone
Flesh
Gravement Endommage
In and Out of Houses
The Wedding Group
The Sleeping Beauty