{"product_id":"book-ipna","title":"The Glass Bead Game","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA full-cast adaptation of the classic novel by Nobel Prize-winner Hermann Hesse, starring Derek Jacobi – plus a bonus short story\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally published in 1943, \u003ci\u003eThe Glass Bead Game\u003c\/i\u003e was Herman Hesse’s last novel. It was hailed as his magnum opus, and was instrumental in securing him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946. Set in a utopian future society, it explores themes of knowledge, individualism, creativity and spirituality, and has inspired contemporary thinkers from authors to game designers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNarrated by \u003cb\u003eDerek Jacobi\u003c\/b\u003e, this two-part radio drama tells the story of Joseph Knecht (\u003cb\u003eTom Ferguson\u003c\/b\u003e), plucked from obscurity as a young orphan, admitted to the finest elite school and groomed for greatness in the Castalian Order. This select group of intellectuals live a closeted life of study and devotion to the Glass Bead Game, an elaborate game that is the most complete possible expression of every discipline – from science and mathematics to the arts, music and philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the years go by, Joseph strives to grasp the innermost meaning of the Game and understand its complexities and possibilities. He becomes a leading light in the Order, and is sent on a diplomatic mission to bridge the gulf between the Catholic Church and Castalia. But he never stops questioning the system that has swept him so quickly and smoothly to high office. And when he achieves the exalted position of Magister Ludi – Master of the Game – he suffers a crisis of conscience, as his deepening doubts about this idealistic and sanitised society threaten to topple its very foundations…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlso included is \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe City\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, a 15-minute fable about the birth and death of a city taken from Herman Hesse's collection of fairy tales and read by \u003cb\u003eAndrew Hilton\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCast\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiographer – \u003cb\u003eDerek Jacobi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoseph Knecht – \u003cb\u003eTom Ferguson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFritz – \u003cb\u003eToby Hadoke\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMusic Master – \u003cb\u003eMalcolm Raeburn\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVan der Trave – \u003cb\u003eTerence Mann\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlinio – \u003cb\u003eDavid Seddon\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBertram – \u003cb\u003eJonathan Keeble\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFather Jacobus – \u003cb\u003eDavid Fleeshman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYoung Joseph – \u003cb\u003eAidan Parsons\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHelena – \u003cb\u003eOlwen May\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresident – \u003cb\u003eTerence Mann\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTito – \u003cb\u003eOliver Gomm\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDramatised by Lavinia Greenlaw\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProduced by Charlotte Riches\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirected by Susan Roberts\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18-25 July 2010\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe City\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRead by Andrew Hilton\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProduced by Sara Davies\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 December 2002\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49350361612592,"sku":"BDipna","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/540144-ipna-Square.jpg?v=1734283704","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-ipna","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}