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Virginia Woolf Portraits, Richard Flanagan, Medical History, The Security Services in Fiction

With Anne McElvoy. Including portraits of Virginia Woolf at the National Portrait Gallery, Richard Flanagan's new novel, the security services in fiction and medical history.

Curator Frances Spalding and Dr Alexandra Harris discuss what portaits of Virginia Woolf convey of her character as a new exhibition opens at the National Portrait Gallery.

Richard Flanagan's father was a Japanese POW on the "Death Railway". The Australian novelist's new book The Narrow Road to the Deep North was inspired by this.

New Generation Thinker Alun Withey looks back at medical history.

Stella Rimington, former director general of MI5 and diplomat Alan Judd discuss turning their experiences of the security services into fiction.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Security Forces in Fiction

    Stella Rimington and Alan Judd reflect on the altered world of security forces.

    Duration: 15:12

  • New Generation Thinker 2014 - Alun Withy

    Why 16th century medics were more adept than we give them credit for.

    Duration: 05:55

  • Virginia Woolf: Art, Life and Vision

    Alexandra Harris and Curator Frances Spalding at the National Portrait Gallery.

    Duration: 13:43

  • Richard Flanagan

    Richard Flanagan on how his father's experiences inspired his latest book.

    Duration: 08:25

Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf


is at the National Portrait Gallery until Sunday 26 October 2014.



Image: Virginia Woolf by Vanessa Bell c.1912 © Estate of Vanessa Bell, courtesy Henrietta Garnett. Photo credit: © National Trust / Charles Thomas



Richard Flanagan

Richard Flanagan

by Richard Flanagan is published by Chatto & Windus.


Image: © Ulf Andersen

New Generation Thinkers 2014

New Generation Thinkers 2014

Alun Withey from the University of Exeter  is one of this year's New Generation Thinkers. Alun is currently researching The Medical World of Early Modern England 1500-1715 including, The Cultural History of the Beard.




Stella Rimington

Stella Rimington

by Stella Rimington is published by Bloomsbury.


Image: © Jamie Hughes 

Alan Judd

Alan Judd

by Alan Judd is published by Simon & Schuster


Image: © Colin Bell 

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Anne McElvoy
Interviewed Guest Frances Spalding
Interviewed Guest Alexandra Harris
Interviewed Guest Richard Flanagan
Interviewed Guest Alun Withey
Interviewed Guest Stella Rimington
Interviewed Guest Alan Judd
Producer Harry Parker

Broadcast

  • Thu 10 Jul 2014 22:00

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

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