Joanna Trollope: Parson Harding’s Daughter, A Spanish Lover, Second Honeymoon: Three BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

BBC Radio adaptations of three of Joanna Trollope's much-loved novels - plus bonus interview

Bestselling author Joanna Trollope has been described as one of the most insightful chroniclers and social commenters writing fiction today. Her books have been translated into over 25 languages, and several have been adapted for television. This collection comprises the BBC Radio dramatisations of her historical novel Parson Harding's Daughter (written under the nom de plume Caroline Harvey) and two of her most popular contemporary novels, A Spanish Lover and Second Honeymoon, as well as an edition of the literary chat show The Book Café.

Parson Harding's Daughter - 1775, and Caroline Harding's only suitor has disappeared to India without her. A plain, impoverished rector's daughter, she is left with few prospects - so when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to sail to Calcutta, bound for marriage to a man she hasn't seen for eight years... Rebecca Egan stars in this engaging love story, winner of the 1980 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

A Spanish Lover - Lizzie and Frances are twins, but while Lizzie appears to have everything, Frances' life seems to lack romance. But when Frances impulsively jets off to Spain, everything changes. While Frances discovers excitement and adventure, Lizzie's world begins to fall apart...Starring Jemma Redgrave as Frances, with Caroline Langrishe as Lizzie.

Second Honeymoon - When Edie's youngest son leaves home she tries to come to terms with the empty nest, but her husband's thoughts turn to the second honeymoon that is about to begin. Or so he thinks... Starring Christine Kavanagh as Edie and Sam Dale as Russell.

The Book Café: Joanna Trollope - Clare English talks to the acclaimed novelist about her life and work, discussing her Scottish heritage, her love of Chelsea FC - and why there is no sex in her books.

Cast and credits
Written by Joanna Trollope (Parson Harding's Daughter written under the nom de plume Caroline Harvey)

Parson Harding's Daughter
Cast: Rebecca Egan, Charles Simpson, Ross Livingstone, Geoffrey Whitehead,
Jane Whittenshaw, Roger May, Jennifer Hilary, David Collings, Jilly Bond, Paul Jenkins,
Nicholas Le Prevost, Andrew Wincott, Dhirendra, Stephen Critchlow, Patience Tomlinson,
Tessa Worsley, David Timson, Emma Gregory, John Turner, Jillie Meers, Sam Dastor, Raj Patel,
Becky Hindley, Joshua Towb, Badi Uzzaman, Gavin Muir, Monica Dolan, John Hartley.

Dramatised by Eric Pringle
Directed by Jane Morganl
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13-27 August 1995

A Spanish Lover
Cast: Jemma Redgrave, Caroline Langrishe, Dorothy Tutin, Geoffrey Palmer, Paul Rhys,
John Turner, Zulema Dene, Sandra James Young, Kim Staines, George Allonby, Guy Witcher, James Cohen, Kirsty Adams, Patience Tomlinson, Andrew Branch, Roger May, Linda Reagan, Stephen Critchlow, Tessa Worsley, David Timson, Ross Livingstone

Dramatised by Melissa Murray
Produced and directed by Janet Whitaker
First broadcast BBC Radio 2, 24 October-28 November 1995

Second Honeymoon
Cast: Christine Kavanagh, Sam Dale, Liza Sadovy, Jonathan Forbes, Alex Tregear, Simon Bubb, Carl Prekopp, James Lailey

Dramatised by Rachel Joyce
Directed by Tracey Neale
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26-30 September 2011

The Book Café: Joanna Trollope
Presented by Clare English
With Joanna Trollope
First broadcast BBC Radio Scotland, 18 March 2013

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