Medieval Manuscripts, Emma Donoghue, The Story of Boris Vian
Presented by Matthew Sweet. With a discussion about medieval illuminated manuscripts, author Emma Donoghue talking about her new novel and Dennis Duncan on the story of Boris Vian.
Medieval illuminated manuscripts are our key to European art for hundreds of years but also to political and social movements. Christopher de Hamel, keeper of possibly the oldest gospel in the Latin world, talks to Matthew about the stories these books can tell beyond their glowing illustrations.
We also visit Colour: The Art and Science of Illuminated Manuscripts, currently glowing at Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum; Kylie Murray, expert on Scottish medieval literature and a New Generation Thinker, reviews the exhibition.
Emma Donoghue author of 'Room' is back with a new novel and another child in claustrophobic setting. This room is an earth-floored room in mid-19th century Ireland, where a Florence Nightingale-trained nurse and 'The Wonder', a devout Irish girl, are locked in a potentially fatal battle over whether the girl is, as she claims, being fed by manna from heaven. Inspired by a historical phenomenon, 'the fasting girls', Donoghue's novel takes place on the battlefield between the forces of Victorian scientific rationalism and traditional religious belief
Plus Dennis Duncan on the story of Boris Vian and a post-war best-seller in France - I Spit On Your Graves .
Emma Donoghue's novel is called The Wonder.
Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts is by Christopher de Hamel - who has worked for Sothebys and is Fellow and librarian at Corpus Christi College Cambridge.
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is marking its first 200 year 1816 to 2016 with an exhibition called COLOUR: The Art and Science of Illuminated Manuscripts. It runs until 30th December 2016 and includes on display the Macclesfield Psalter, an alchemical scroll, a duchess' wedding gift, and the ABC of a five-year old princess.
Last on
Clip
-
Christopher de Hamel on his love of Medieval Manuscripts
Duration: 13:33
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Interviewed Guest | Christopher de Hamel |
Presenter | Matthew Sweet |
Interviewed Guest | Kylie Murray |
Interviewed Guest | Emma Donoghue |
Interviewed Guest | Dennis Duncan |
Producer | Jacqueline Smith |
Broadcast
- Thu 22 Sep 2016 22:00麻豆社 Radio 3
Featured in...
Prose and Poetry—Free Thinking
Fact, fiction, key authors and contemporary voices from around the world
Books Highlights—Books
Watch and listen to featured Books programmes
Visual Arts—Free Thinking
Dorothy Bohm, Edward Burtynsky, Sean Scully, Dada, Elizabeth Price, Edmund de Waal
Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019
Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival
Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life