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Episode 2

Sukhanov is disconcerted by an encounter with an old artist friend and by his wife's behaviour, as he contemplates how his life has changed and the doubts that assail him.

Leaving his father in laws exhibition Sukhanov encounters an old friend of his youth; the artist Belkin; clearly reaching middle age with none of the success Sukhanov enjoys. Belkin invites Sukhanov and Nina to his own exhibition.

The encounter unsettles Sukhanov, with memories of his early life and friendship, and what has changed since then.

Olga Grushin was born in Moscow in 1971 and spent her childhood in Moscow and Prague. In 1989 she became the first Soviet citizen to enrol for a full-time degree in the United States while retaining Soviet citizenship. In 2006 she was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for New Writers and named one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists in 2007.

She has published two novels: The Dream Life of Sukhanov (2006) and The Concert Ticket (published in the US as The Line) in April 2010. Olga lives in Washington D.C.

Abridged by Jeremy Osborne

Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Sweet Talk Production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 14 Feb 2012 22:45

Broadcast

  • Tue 14 Feb 2012 22:45

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