The Age of Innocence

A BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel

A full-cast dramatisation of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a passionate love affair which breaks all the rules of the restrictive high society of 1870s New York. In the exclusive world of upper-class New York, in which attendance at balls and dinner passes for occupation, Newland Archer anticipates his marriage to May Welland, a beautiful young girl from a suitable family 'who knows nothing and expects everything'. Into this well-ordered community May's cousin, the captivating and exotic Countess Olenska, arrives. She has returned from Europe after the collapse of her marriage and alternately enchants and outrages New York society with her cosmopolitan lifestyle. Newland is sympathetic to her escape from a loveless marriage, and as his sympathy deepens into love he not only gains insight into the brutality of society's treatment of women, but also discovers the real anguish of loving outside its rules. Dramatised by Jane Rogers, starring Andrew Wincott and Susanne Bertish.

Beautifully done

This is a fine, fine adaptation of a loved work. The acting is first class, although perhaps some American ears might find the accents imperfect.

Its too short, and that's why it has a 4 and not 5 stars, but it is really excellent and true to the text and the original work. A very serious effort.

I heard it on BBC Radio 4 when it came out, and I was delighted it was available for purchase soon afterward. Really happy to have this in my library.



brendan