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Maeve Binchy

Sue Lawley's castaway is novelist Maeve Binchy.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is novelist Maeve Binchy. During her Catholic childhood in a small Irish village, she nurtured an ambition, not just to lead a life of religious devotion, but to become a saint. Later on, she aspired to the legal profession, where her horizons stretched far beyond barristers and briefs to, at the very least, Chief Justice of Ireland. But it was ultimately as a writer that Maeve Binchy achieved enormous success, with novels like Light a Penny Candle and many others making her name as one of the most successful popular authors of her time. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her childhood in Ireland, the loss of her religious faith and her ultimate success as an author of popular fiction.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Brendan Theme by Liam O'Flynn
Book: Teach Yourself Bridge
Luxury: Photograph album

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Jun 1990 09:05

Music Played

  • Sean O'Se

    Carrickfergus

    • O Riada Sa Gaiety.
    • Decca.
  • The Dave Brubeck Quartet

    Take Five

    • Time Out: The Dave Brubeck Quartet.
    • CBS.
  • Γ‰dith Piaf

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

    • The Legendary Edith Piaf.
    • Music For Pleasure France.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Liam O’Flynn

      The Brendan Theme

      • The Brendan Voyage.
      • Tara Records.
  • The Cast Of Oh! What A Lovely War

    They'll Never Believe Us

    • Oh! What A Lovely War/ Soundtrack.
    • Paramount.
  • Don McLean

    American Pie

    • Born On The 4th July.
    • MCA.
  • Ella Fitzgerald

    St Louis Blues

    • Ella In Rome.
    • Verve.
  • Carl Orff

    Carmina Burana

    Choir: The Wandsworth School Boy's Choir Orchestra: The New Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Orff/Carmina Burana.
    • EMI.
  • Book Choice

    • Teach Yourself Bridge

  • Luxury Choice

    • Photograph album

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Maeve Binchy

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Jun 1990 12:15
  • Fri 15 Jun 1990 09:05

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