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In the series that takes a look at books, plays and stories and how they work, John Yorke examines Alexander Dumas’ forgotten classic; Georges.

Georges was one of Dumas' earliest novels and in this first of two episodes about the book, John shows us how it set the template for many of those that followed. It's a swashbuckling, page-turner full of plot twists, cliff hangers and larger-than-life characters.

Dumas was a mixed race man and Georges is unique in that it's the only one of his novels that directly addresses race. The book is set in one of France's colonies, ÃŽle de France, where slavery is still flourishing and where racial hierarchies are strictly observed. The main theme of the book is revenge for a racially motivated insult. Immensely famous around the world, Dumas' life echoed the drama of his novels and John hears about the lifestyle and politics of this great writer.

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for nearly 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Â鶹Éç Radio 4’s Sunday Drama series.

From EastEnders to the Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of Â鶹Éç Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world’s most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful Â鶹Éç Writers Academy John has trained a generation of screenwriters - his students have had 17 green-lights in the last two years alone.

Contributors:
David Coward, Emeritus Professor of Literature at Leeds University
Tina Kover, Translator of the first English translation of Georges for more than a century

Reading by Sam Dale

Credits:
Georges by Alexandre Dumas
Publisher Modern Library Inc; Reprint edition (1 Sept. 2008)
Translator - Tina Kover

Produced by Alison Vernon-Smith
Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael
Sound by Sean Kerwin
Researcher: Nina Semple
Production Manager: Sarah Wright

A Pier production for Â鶹Éç Radio 4

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