Episode 1
Bart Van Es always knew of a woman from his family's past called Lien, but why was she rarely spoken of now? He goes to meet her and find out her story.
The story of a man's search for the truth about his family's past
The last time Hesseline - known as Lien - saw her parents was in The Hague as she was collected at the door by a stranger and taken to a city far away to be hidden from the Nazis. She was raised by her foster family as one of their own but, some years after the war, she became estranged from the family who took her in. What was her side of the story? Bart van Es - a grandson of the couple who looked after Lien - was determined to find out.
Lien was now in her 80s and living in Amsterdam. Reluctantly, she agreed to meet him and eventually they struck up a remarkable friendship. The Cut Out Girl combines a powerful recreation of Lien's intensely harrowing childhood story with the wider picture of life in Holland under the Nazi occupation.
In the first episode, Bart goes to Amsterdam to meet Lien and ask if she might be willing to tell him her story.
Written by Bart Van Es
Read by Daniel Weyman
Abridged by Isobel Creed and Lizzie Davies
Produced by Lizzie Davies
A Waters Company production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Reader | Daniel Weyman |
| Author | Bart Van Es |
| Abridger | Isobel Creed |
| Abridger | Lizzie Davies |
| Producer | Lizzie Davies |
Broadcasts
- Mon 6 Aug 2018 09:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Tue 7 Aug 2018 00:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Parents who saved their only child by giving her away
The story behind The Cut Out Girl from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News.
Listen to more Audio Books
Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
Sample our books and authors Clip Collection
Interviews, previews and reviews
Subscribe to the Short stories podcast
Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
Finding Your Story
Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts: Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.