Audiobooks by Rachel Joyce

Miss Benson's Beetle: An uplifting and redemptive story of a glorious female friendship against the

Brought to you by Penguin. It is 1950. In a devastating moment of clarity, Margery Benson abandons her dead-end job and advertises for an assistant to accompany her on an expedition. She is going to travel to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist. Enid Pretty, in her unlikely pink travel suit, is not the companion Margery had in mind. And yet together they will be drawn into an adventure that will exceed every expectation. They will risk everything, break all the rules, and at the top of a red mountain, discover their best selves. This is a story that is less about what can be found than the belief it might be found; it is an intoxicating adventure story but it is also about what it means to be a woman and a tender exploration of a friendship that defies all boundaries. ©Rachel Joyce 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Rachel Joyce (Author), Juliet Stevenson (Narrator)

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An Unlikely Pilgrimage: The Radio Dramas of Rachel Joyce: A BBC Radio Collection of Fifteen Full-Cas

Collected radio plays and short stories by Rachel Joyce Rachel Joyce captured the hearts of millions with her bestselling debut novel, which told the moving tale of an ordinary man, Harold Fry, who embarks on an epic journey to deliver a message and save a life. But Harold's story began its life on radio, in the award-winning play which opens this collection: To Be A Pilgrim, starring Anton Lesser, Anna Massey and Niamh Cusack. Here, too, is an adaptation of the companion novel, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, with Sophie Thompson as Queenie; as well as a collection of linked Christmas tales, A Snow Garden and Other Stories, read by the author herself. Also featured here are eleven more superb radio productions, each showcasing Joyce's characteristic empathy, compassion and understanding of the human heart. Including a dark modern fairytale set in Baghdad, a Brief Encounter-style romance and the heartbreaking story of the Lindbergh baby, they are: Painting Mrs Jones, Feather, Kissing Shadows, Talking, Take One Night, The Porter and the Three Ladies, The Art of Balance, Little Lower than the Angels, The Wall, and The Memory Thief. Life-affirming, touching and redemptive, these magical dramas explore themes of friendship, connection, the role of memory in our lives and the true nature of happiness. Among the star casts are Lindsay Duncan, Sophie Thompson, Shaun Dooley, Kenneth Cranham, Stephen Tompkinson and Lia Williams. This special edition also features Rachel Joyce in conversation with Niamh Cusack.

Rachel Joyce (Author), Anna Massey, Anton Lesser, Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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The Bronte BBC Radio Drama Collection: Seven full-cast dramatisations

The complete canon of the Brontë sisters' classic novels, dramatised by bestselling author Rachel Joyce Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Orphan Jane falls in love with the enigmatic Rochester, but he is concealing a dark secret. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë On the bleak Yorkshire moors, Heathcliff and Cathy's elemental passion runs wild - but their obsession has devastating consequences. Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë Determined to make her way in the world, penniless young Agnes Grey becomes a governess. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë Gentleman farmer Gilbert Markham is powerfully drawn to Helen Graham, the mysterious resident of Wildfell Hall. Shirley by Charlotte Brontë A poignant tale of friendship, romantic entanglements and turbulent times, set in Yorkshire in 1811. Villette by Charlotte Brontë Leaving England to teach in Villette, Lucy Snowe experiences the pangs of unrequited love. The Professor by Charlotte Brontë As a teacher at a boarding-school in Belgium, William Crimsworth encounters trouble and true love. Adapted by Rachel Joyce, these radio dramas boast star casts including Ellie Kendrick, Amanda Hale, Tom Burke, Lesley Sharp, Paul Venables, Robert Lonsdale, Anna Maxwell Martin, Ben Batt and Chloe Pirrie. Also included is a one-hour bonus programme featuring Rachel Joyce in conversation with producer Tracey Neale.

Anne Bronte, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Rachel Joyce (Author), , Anna Maxwell-Martin, Ella Kendrick, Emma Fielding, Jemima Rooper, Juliet Aubrey, Lesley Sharp, Tom Burke (Narrator)

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Wuthering Heights: A full-cast BBC radio dramatisation

Chloe Pirrie and Ben Batt star in this stunning dramatisation of Emily Brontë's classic, adapted by bestselling author Rachel JoyceWhen homeless orphan Heathcliff is brought to the isolated, storm-swept farmhouse of Wuthering Heights, he sparks very different emotions in the children of the house, Hindley and Cathy. While Hindley instantly hates him and makes his life miserable, Heathcliff finds a soulmate in Cathy and the two spend days playing together on the wild Yorkshire moors.Inseparable as children, passionately in love as adolescents, they are everything to each other - until Cathy meets the wealthy, handsome Edgar Linton and agrees to marry him. Consumed by jealousy and resentment, Heathcliff flees, returning three years later rich and seeking revenge.Bitter and cruel, he vows to destroy everyone who has hurt him - and his hatred and vengeance will ruin the lives of two generations before it runs its course...First published in 1847, Wuthering Heights scandalized Victorian readers with its shocking portrayal of obsession and doomed love. This radio production, dramatised by Rachel Joyce, retains all the force and intensity of Emily Brontë's masterpiece.CastNelly........................Emma FieldingYoung Cathy........................Rosie BooreYoung Heathcliff........................Reuben BainbridgeHindley........................Luke BaileyMr Earnshaw........................Clive HaywardJoseph........................Philip BrethertonFrances/Mary (Servant girl)........................Lauren CorneliusEdgar/Linton (adult)........................Ryan WhittleServant 1/Priest........................Ryan EarlyServant 2........................Philip BrethertonAdult Cathy........................Chloe PirrieAdult Heathcliff........................Ben BattIsabella........................Kerry GoodersonHareton........................Ruben Cryer/Tom Glynn-CarneyDr Kenneth........................Clive HaywardLinton (Young child)........................Charlie BrandZillah (Servant)........................Georgie GlenCatherine (adult)........................Bryony HannahLinton (Older child)........................Oliver ZetterstromProduced and Directed by Tracey NealeProduction Coordinator: Joanne HopperStudio Managers: Cal Knightley, Anne Bunting and Jenni Burnett

Emily Bronte, Rachel Joyce (Author), , Ben Batt, Chloe Pirrie, Emma Fielding (Narrator)

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The Music Shop: A Novel

A love story and a journey through music, the exquisite and perfectly pitched new novel from the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop's owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people's needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music-and love-in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction. Advance praise for The Music Shop "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions."-Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming."-Kirkus Reviews

Rachel Joyce (Author), Steven Hartley (Narrator)

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Mister Franks fabelhaftes Talent für Harmonie (Gekürzte Lesung)

Mister Frank hat eine besondere Gabe: Er spürt, welche Musik die Menschen brauchen, um glücklich zu werden. In seinem kleinen Plattenladen in einer vergessenen Ecke der Stadt treffen sich Nachbarn, Kunden und die anderen Ladenbesitzer der Straße. Keiner weiß, wie lange sie hier noch überleben können. Da taucht eines Tages die Frau in Grün vor Franks Schaufenster auf. Sie ist blass und schön, zerbrechlich und stark zugleich. Doch sosehr er sich auch bemüht, Frank kann einfach nicht hören, welche Musik in ihr klingt ...

Rachel Joyce (Author), Christian Baumann (Narrator)

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Mister Franks fabelhaftes Talent für Harmonie (Ungekürzte Lesung)

Rachel Joyce (Author), Christian Baumann (Narrator)

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The Music Shop

Random House presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce, read by Steve Hartley. From the author of the world-wide bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a new novel about learning how to listen and how to feel; and about second chances and choosing to be brave despite the odds. Because in the end, music can save us all ... 1988. Frank owns a music shop. It is jam-packed with records of every speed, size and genre. Classical, jazz, punk - as long as it's vinyl he sells it. Day after day Frank finds his customers the music they need. Then into his life walks Ilse Brauchmann. Ilse asks Frank to teach her about music. His instinct is to turn and run. And yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with her pea-green coat and her eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems. And Frank has old wounds that threaten to re-open and a past he will never leave behind ...

Rachel Joyce (Author), Steven Hartley (Narrator)

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Der nie abgeschickte Liebesbrief an Harold Fry - Das Geheimnis der Queenie Hennessy (Ungekürzte Lesu

'Dies ist mein zweiter Brief an Dich, Harold, ein ganz anderer diesmal. Keine Lügen. Jetzt werde ich Dir alles gestehen, denn Du hattest recht damals: Es gibt so viel, was Du immer noch nicht weißt. Zwanzig Jahre lang waren meine Geheimnisse in mir vergraben; jetzt müssen sie ans Licht, bev or es zu spät ist.' Queenie Hennessy erzählt die ganze Wahrheit. Ein Roman über Aufbruch, Freiheit, Schuld und Hoffnung - und die Frage, ob wir uns gegenseitig retten können.

Rachel Joyce (Author), Andrea Sawatzki (Narrator)

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Jane Eyre: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization

Amanda Hale and Tom Burke star in a brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Charlotte Brontë's most beloved novel, adapted by Rachel Joyce. Orphan Jane learns at an early age that self-control is the surest means of retaining self-respect in adversity. It is a lesson that serves her well in the years ahead as she endures the misery of life with her cruel, uncaring aunt, followed by the harsh regime at Lowood Institution, a charity school for poor children. After taking the post of governess at Thornfield Hall, she meets the master of the house, the brooding, enigmatic Edward Rochester, and finds herself falling in love with him. It seems as if happiness may finally be within her grasp – but a series of strange events leads her to believe that Rochester is concealing a dark secret. When the truth is revealed, the heartbroken Jane will need all her inner strength and resilience to face up to it...Dramatised for radio by bestselling novelist Rachel Joyce (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), this iconic love story stars Amanda Hale as Jane and Tom Burke as Rochester. Suffused with romance, passion, mystery and danger, it is a spellbinding tale that is as real and relevant today as when it was first published in 1847. Duration: 2 hours 30 mins approx.

Charlotte Bronte, Rachel Joyce (Author), , Amanda Hale, Tom Burke (Narrator)

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A Snow Garden and Other Stories

Seven stories to span the Christmas holidays: A Faraway Smell of Lemon: The School Term has ended. It is almost Christmas but Binny, out last-minute shopping couldn't feel less like wishing glad tidings to all men. Ducking out of the rain she finds herself in the sort of shop she would never normally visit. The Marriage Manual: Christmas Eve. Two parents endeavour to construct their son's Christmas present from a DIY kit and in the process find themselves deconstructing their marriage. Christmas Day at the Airport: A glitch in the system, travellers stranded and all sorts of lives colliding in the face of a sudden birth... The Boxing Day Ball: Maureen has never been out with the local girls before. Who knew that a disco in the Village Hall could be life-changing? A Snow Garden: Two little boys, dumped with their divorced father for his share of the Christmas holidays and none of them with a clue how to enjoy it. I'll Be Home for Christmas The most famous boy in the world comes home hoping to escape the madness with a normal family Christmas. Trees: As if Christmas wasn't wearing enough, now his elderly parent is asking for a hole in the ground ... Father and son break old habits and plant a tree to mark the start of the new year. Seven stories as funny, joyous, poignant and memorable as Christmas should be.

Rachel Joyce (Author), Niamh Cusack, Paul Venables, Rachel Joyce (Narrator)

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Ein ferner Duft wie von Zitronen - Eine Weihnachtserzählung (Ungekürzte Fassung)

Binny hat noch genau fünf Stunden Zeit, um alles für die Festtage vorzubereiten. Sie fühlt sich ganz und gar nicht weihnachtlich: Es regnet Bindfäden, ihr Haus fällt auseinander, und die Stadt ist völlig überfüllt. Und das ist alles, alles nur Olivers Schuld. Um nicht auch noch Smalltalk mit einer Bekannten machen zu müssen, flieht Binny in einen Laden, den sie normalerweise nie betreten würde. Und findet dort einen ganz unerwarteten Ort voll Frieden, Trost und Freundlichkeit - eingehüllt in einen Hauch von Zitronenduft. Eine wunderbare Kurzgeschichte über die Kraft des Hier und Jetzt.

Rachel Joyce (Author), Andrea Sawatzki (Narrator)

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