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Andrea Levy

Novelist Andrea Levy joins Kirsty Young to choose her Desert Island Discs.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the writer Andrea Levy.

Born in London to Jamaican parents, she has spent much of her career describing the experiences of Caribbean immigrants and cementing the role they have played in British life. Her books have found both a large and appreciative audience as well as critical success - Small Island was named Whitbread Book of the Year, while Long Song, was shortlisted for the Man-Booker Prize. Her achievements are all the more extraordinary because she says she didn't read her first novel until she was 23 years old. She says: "The reason I write is because I am exploring my heritage - and there's still a lot of that story untold."

Producer: Isabel Sargent.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Jun 2011 09:00

Music Played

  • Frank Sinatra

    High Hopes

    • All the Way.
    • Capitol.
  • Ska Toons

    I’m in the Mood for Love

    • Kind of Blue Beat.
    • Skat Records.
  • Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames

    Yeh Yeh

    • 20 Beat Classics/Georgie Fame.
    • Polydor.
  • Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral

    Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

    • Music of St Paul’s Cathedral.
    • Hyperion.
    • Number SPCC2000.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Martin Phipps

      The theme for Small Island television series

      • Small Island Soundtrack.
      • Movie Score Media.
  • Bob Marley

    Redemption Song

    • Legend.
    • Tuff Gong.
  • Nina Simone

    My Baby Just Cares For Me

    • Nina Simone Greatest Hits.
    • BMG.
  • Al Green

    Let's Stay Together

    • Al Green Greatest Hits Vol.1.
    • HI.
    • Number HIUKCD425.
  • Book Choice

    • Roget's Thesaurus

  • Luxury Choice

    • mosquito repellent

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Andrea Levy

Broadcasts

  • Sun 12 Jun 2011 11:15
  • Fri 17 Jun 2011 09:00

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