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Wars of the Heart

The Culture Show 2013/2014

James Runcie examines how the Blitz influenced the work of novelists Graham Greene, Henry Green and Elizabeth Bowen, and American poet Hilda Doolittle.

For those who remained in London during the Second World War, the Blitz was a terrifying time of sleeplessness, fear and loss, but some of London's literary set found inspiration in the danger and intensity. With the threat of death ever present, nerves were tested and affairs began; it was an absolute gift for a writer seeking new material.

Presenter James Runcie tells the story of novelists Graham Greene, Henry Green and Elizabeth Bowen, and American poet Hilda Doolittle, who revelled in the creative and personal freedom they discovered even as the bombs rained down. The programme reveals how these writers distilled the surreal and often frightening atmosphere of the time into some of their finest work.

29 minutes

Last on

Wed 7 Aug 2019 01:30
主播大秀 Four

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Clips

See all clips from Wars of the Heart (2)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:15

    脫lafur Arnalds

    脼煤 Ert S贸lin

  • 00:19

    Angelo Badalamenti

    Holding Rowatt

  • 00:24

    脫lafur Arnalds

    Pu Ert Joroin

  • 00:27

    Bbc Philharmonic: Terry Davies

    Always Summer

Credits

Presenter James Runcie
Director Katy Homan
Series Editor Janet Lee

Broadcasts

主播大秀 Arts

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