Main content

Anna Karenina - Episode 2

The series that looks at books, plays and stories and how they work. John Yorke explores the themes and structure of Tolstoy鈥檚 great nineteenth century novel Anna Karenina.

The series that takes a look at books, plays and stories and how they work. John Yorke explores the themes at the heart of Leo Tolstoy鈥檚 great nineteenth century novel, Anna Karenina.

In the second of three episodes, John looks at the secondary great love story in the novel, that of Kitty and Levin, and how it is built into and reflects the structure of the story. As Anna and Vronksy鈥檚 affair plays out under the disapproving gaze of St Petersburg society, Levin and Kitty take a different path to happiness, seeking meaning and fulfilment within the boundaries of convention.

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 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 dramatized in 麻豆社 Radio 4鈥檚 Sunday/Saturday 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 麻豆社 Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world鈥檚 most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful 麻豆社 Writers Academy, John has trained a generation of screenwriters - his students have had 17 green-lights in the last two years alone.

Contributors:
Rosamund Bartlett, Tolstoy biographer and translator of new Oxford World Classics edition of Anna Karenina.
Dr. Sarah Hudspith, Associate Professor in Russian at the University of Leeds
Linda Marshall-Griffiths, writer and adapter of new radio drama of Anna Karenina
Readings by Jules Wilkinson

Credits:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, trans. Constance Garnet, 1901 William Heinemann

Produced by Lore Windemuth
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
Researcher: Nina Semple
Production Manager: Sarah Wright
Sound by Ian Hunter

A Pier production for 麻豆社 Radio 4

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 May 2023 14:45

Broadcast

  • Sun 7 May 2023 14:45

Podcast