Wendy Erskine

22/06/2025 28 min

Listen "Wendy Erskine"

Episode Synopsis

Presented by James Crawford, Take Four Books, speaks to the award-winning short story writer Wendy Erskine about her first novel - The Benefactors - and explores its connections to three other literary works. The Benefactors is a polyphonic immersion into modern day Belfast and follows the events surrounding a teenage house party. Three mothers close ranks against the girl who is accusing their sons of sexual assault. For her three influencing texts Wendy chose: The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas (2008); Chernobyl Prayer by Svetlana Alexievich (1997); and This Is The Place To Be, by Lara Pawson (2016).The supporting contributor for this episode was the journalist, writer, and author of Dance Your Way Home, Emma Warren.Producer: Dom Howell
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.

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