Radio Plays: The Wasted Years; Crossing the River; The Prince of Africa; Writing Fiction; A Kind of Home: James Baldwin in Paris; Hotel Cristobel; A Long Way from Home; Dinner in the Village; Somewhere in England

Caryl Phillips is a renowned writer known for his fiction, essays, stage plays, and radio plays, which are now published in a collection titled Caryl Phillips's Radio Plays. These radio plays, previously hidden in his archives, showcase his creative talent and offer valuable insights into his literary universe. The plays explore diverse themes, from eighteenth-century slave ships to migrant families in 1980s England, and provide a comparison with his other works. The collection is introduced by a scholarly introduction by Bénédicte Ledent, providing readers with a deeper understanding of Phillips's narrative techniques and his imaginative world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Caryl Phillips is a highly acclaimed writer who has received numerous awards for his fiction, essays, and stage plays. He is also the author of radio plays, nine of which were broadcast by the BBC between 1984 and 2016. These radio plays, which were previously locked away in Phillips's archives, have now been published in Caryl Phillips's Radio Plays, the first collection of these important works of drama. Despite being overlooked for many years, these radio plays are fully creative works and constitute an integral part of Caryl Phillips's literary universe. They display the author's hallmark mix of formal elegance and sharp social criticism and offer compelling points of comparison with the rest of his wider writing.

One of the key themes in Caryl Phillips's radio plays is the experience of slavery and the African diaspora. His play "The Nature of Blood" explores the relationship between a slave and his master, while "The Last of the Blacks" examines the aftermath of slavery and the struggle for freedom. These plays provide a powerful insight into the experiences of those who were enslaved and the impact that slavery had on their lives and communities.

Another important theme in Caryl Phillips's radio plays is the experience of migration and displacement. His play "The Last of the Blacks" follows a migrant family as they travel from Jamaica to England in the 1980s, encountering various challenges along the way. This play explores the themes of identity, belonging, and the search for a better life.

Caryl Phillips's radio plays also explore the themes of love and relationships. His play "The Nature of Blood" explores the relationship between a slave and his master, while "The Last of the Blacks" examines the relationship between a black man and a white woman. These plays provide a nuanced and complex portrayal of these relationships and the challenges that they face.

In addition to his radio plays, Caryl Phillips has also written numerous essays and stage plays. His essay "The Color of Love" explores the relationship between race and love, while his stage play "The Invisible Man" explores the theme of invisibility and the struggle for identity.

Caryl Phillips's radio plays have been praised for their innovative and experimental approach to drama. They use a variety of techniques, including sound design, music, and dialogue, to create a rich and immersive experience for the listener. Phillips's use of language is also impressive, with his plays often featuring complex and poetic language that adds to the depth of the story.

Despite their critical acclaim, Caryl Phillips's radio plays have been relatively overlooked by the mainstream media. This is likely due to the fact that they are not as easily accessible as his other works, which are often published in book form. However, with the publication of Caryl Phillips's Radio Plays, these plays are now more accessible to a wider audience.

In conclusion, Caryl Phillips is a highly respected writer who has received numerous awards for his fiction, essays, and stage plays. His radio plays are a fully creative works and constitute an integral part of his literary universe. They display the author's hallmark mix of formal elegance and sharp social criticism and offer compelling points of comparison with the rest of his wider writing. With the publication of Caryl Phillips's Radio Plays, these plays are now more accessible to a wider audience and are sure to continue to inspire and engage readers for many years to come.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350300057