Short Story - John Updike Audio Collection, The

The extraordinarily evocative stories depict the generation born in a small-town America during the Depression and growing up in a world where the old sexual morality was turned around and material comforts were easily had. Yet, as these stories reflect so accurately, life was still unsettling, and Updike chronicles telling moments both joyful and painful. The texts are taken from his recent omnibus, The Early Stories, 1953-1975.

In describing how he wrote these stories in a small, rented, smoke-filled office in Ipswitch, Massachusetts, he says, "I felt that I was packaging something as delicately pervasive as smoke, one box after another, in that room, where my only duty was to describe reality as it had come to me -- to give the mundane its beautiful due."

Publisher: Harper Collins US
Author: John Updike
Narrator: Various
ISBN: 0 06 057721 5 Buy this Short Story

Until the time of her death in 2003, much-loved actress Thora Hird worked regularly with the playwright Alan Bennett. Now, in a specially written introduction and postscript, Bennett recalls his work and friendship with Thora, and introduces three examples of their collaboration.

The Last of the Sun
Dolly's remaining days in an old people's home are enlivened by a seemingly respectable man. Recorded in 2002, Thora Hird's last ever performance, in a part written especially for her, is moving and memorable.

A Cream Cracker Under the Settee
Doris has taken a fall at home, and until someone comes to rescue her she's left immobile and in reflective mood. This monologue, from the first series of Talking Heads, features one of Thora's best-remembered performances.

Waiting for the Telegram
Remembering how she lost her first young man, Violet does not see how close she is to losing her second. Thora Hird won a BAFTA for Best Actress for her performance in this monologue from the second Talking Heads series.

Written By
Alan Bennett
Music composed by George Fenton
Introductions produced by Colin Smith

THE LAST OF THE SUN
Dolly.................Thora Hird
Originally broadcast on BBC7 in 2004
Produced by Colin Smith
Recorded at Broadcasting House in 2002

A CREAM CRACKER UNDER THE SETTEE
Doris ................Thora Hird
Policeman ..........Steven Beard
Originally broadcast on BBC1 in 1988
Re-recorded for audio and broadcast on BBC Radio 4
Produced by Innes Lloyd
Directed by Stuart Burge

WAITING FOR THE TELEGRAM
Violet ................Thora Hird
Originally broadcast on BBC2 in 1998
Produced by Mark Shivas
Directed by Stuart Burge

Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Author: Alan Bennett
Narrator: Various
ISBN: 0563 52347 6 Buy this Short Story

A man and wife rent a room for the night....only the had room burnt down years earlier and the tenants died in the fire....
Publisher: Immortal Audio
Author: Unknown
Narrator: Don DuBose
ISBN: Buy this Short Story

James Joyce's Dubliners is a collection of short stories about the lives of the people of Dublin around the turn of the century. Each story describes a small but significant moment of crisis or revelation in the life of a particular Dubliner, sympathetically but always with stark honesty. Many of the characters are desperate to escape the confines of their humdrum lives, though those that have the opportunity to do so seem unable to take it. This book holds none of the difficulties of Joyce's later novels, such as Ulysses, yet in its way it is just as radical. These stories introduce us to the city which fed Joyce's entire creative output, and to many of the characters who made it such a well of Iiterary inspiration.
Publisher: NAXOS
Author: James Joyce
Narrator: Jim Norton
ISBN: 9 62634 173 4 Buy this Short Story