{"product_id":"book-185p","title":"Elizabeth Taylor: A BBC Radio Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFull-cast dramatisations of three acclaimed novels by Elizabeth Taylor - including \u003ci\u003eMrs Palfrey at the Claremont\u003c\/i\u003e - plus 17 readings of her short fiction \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDescribed by Antonia Fraser as 'one of the most underrated novelists of the 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century', Elizabeth Taylor was much admired for her witty, acutely observed stories of middle-class life. She never achieved widespread recognition during her lifetime - perhaps due to the fame of her Hollywood namesake - but since her death in 1975, her work has been rediscovered. This collection showcases the very best of her oeuvre, as heard on BBC Radio.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShortlisted for the Booker Prize, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMrs Palfrey at the Claremont\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e is the poignant tale of an elderly lady who moves into a genteel London hotel and strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young writer. \u003cb\u003eJean Anderson\u003c\/b\u003e stars as Mrs Palfrey in this 1974 adaptation, with \u003cb\u003eTony Robinson\u003c\/b\u003e as Ludo. In \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Wreath of Roses\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, starring \u003cb\u003eAngela Pleasence\u003c\/b\u003e, a violent and disturbing incident at the start of her holiday proves to be a memory Camilla cannot escape, while \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn a Summer Season\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e sees wealthy widow Kate marrying a younger man, provoking gossip among her conventional 1950s community. \u003cb\u003eKate Buffery\u003c\/b\u003e stars in this moving drama about love and the transience of happiness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaylor's short stories, a number of which appeared in \u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHarper's Bazaar\u003c\/i\u003e, are regarded by many as her crowning achievement. Included here are 15 of them, beginning with three tales read by \u003cb\u003eJoanna Tope\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cb\u003e'The Idea of Age', 'Plenty Good Fiesta'\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e'The Blush'\u003c\/b\u003e. The rest of the stories are read by \u003cb\u003eDavid Troughton, Joanna David, Sarah Badel, Sheila Mitchell, Fiona Walker, Ann Windsor, Rosemary Leach, Shireen Shah\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eCécile Chevreau \u003c\/b\u003erespectively.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo 13-part \u003ci\u003eWoman's Hour\u003c\/i\u003e serials conclude our compilation. In \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Wedding Group\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, read by \u003cb\u003eJune Barrie\u003c\/b\u003e, two rebellious young people, each escaping their families, make an unhappy marriage. And in \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Sleeping Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, read by \u003cb\u003eNigel Anthony\u003c\/b\u003e, a 50-year-old bachelor becomes smitten with an enigmatic recluse - but both of them are nursing secrets…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDramatisations:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMrs Palfrey at the Claremont\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Wreath of Roses\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn a Summer Season\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShort Stories:\u003cbr\u003eThe Idea of Age\u003cbr\u003ePlenty Good Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eThe Blush\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Letter Writers\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Benefactress\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHotel du Commerce \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSpry Old Character\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Dedicated Man\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Devastating Boys\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSisters\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSwan Moving\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSimone\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFlesh\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eGravement Endommage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn and Out the Houses\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Wedding Group\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Sleeping Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":67386114605360,"sku":"BD185p","price":11.67,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-185p","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}