Book Reading

Transcript

May 8 - 19
Beowulf
A new version of the epic poem, by Seamus Heaney
Beowulf is a hero from the golden age, the only man brave enough - and strong enough - to rescue the Danes from the tyranny of the malevolent monster, Grendel, and rid them of Grendel’s even more terrifying mother, the 'swamp-thing from hell'.
The story of Beowolf's adventures was first written in Old English l,000 years ago. Seamus Heaney, winner of the l995 Nobel Prize for Literature, and has recently been awarded the Whitbread Book of the Year for his new poetic version of Beowulf
Production for the BBC by Susan Roberts

May 22 - June 16
Mr Darwin's Shooter
by Roger McDonald
When Charles Darwin published his Origin of Species in l859, he included no acknowledgment of Syms Covington, the man who had accompanied him on HMS Beagle in l837. Covington had shot birds, captured all manner of reptiles and small mammals, skinned, preserved and labelled, and made copious notes. Covington and Darwin established a close working relationship. Yet Covington was prickly and stubborn character, and a devout Christian. He was never likely to follow Darwin in his questioning of the doctrine of Creation. Covington’s unease is at the heart of this brilliant novel, as well as his admiration for Darwin and his longing to be recognised by him.

Later in life, Covington lives in Australia and does well on the land, but is still haunted by the questions awoken earlier: What is the place for God in the world? What is the place of man? And what is it to be liked - and loved?

Mr Darwin's Shooter is a novel of both sea and land, a story of adventure as well as intellectual inquiry, of both faith and doubt. It has scooped the pool of recent awards, winning the Premier's Awards for Fiction from NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Adapted by Rodney Wetherell
Reader Rhys McConnochie
Producer Anne McInerney