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Molly Keane

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Molly Keane.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is one of the most highly acclaimed writers of today. The author of Good Behaviour, Time After Time and Loving and Giving, she began writing in the early 20s using the pseudonym MJ Farrell to conceal her identity from her sporting friends in Ireland, where she was born and grew up. It was a world of snobbery and decaying aristocracy which she portrays in her books with excruciating accuracy.
Then, after a period in the early 50s as a successful playwright, she fell silent, to emerge 25 years later under her real name, Molly Keane, and went on to achieve huge success and literary recognition. Now 86, she'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her childhood, her books and her Ireland.

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

Favourite track: Greensleeves by James Galway
Book: A bound copy of the Spectator magazines
Luxury: A bed, netted from snakes and flies

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Jul 1991 12:15
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • FrΓ©dΓ©ric Chopin

    Barcarolle in F sharp major Op.60

    Performer: Krystian Zimerman.

    Soloist: Artur Rubinstein

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • James Galway

      Greensleeves

      • Greatest Hits.
      • RCA Classics.

  • Denny Dennis & The Whisperers

    Whispering

    • Golden Age Of Roy Fox.
    • Golden Age.

  • Savoy Orpheans

    The Charleston

    • Charleston.
    • Conifer.

  • Bob Eberle

    Pennies From Heaven

    Artist: Jimmy Dorsey & Orchestra

    • Pennies From Heaven.
    • ASV.

  • William Shakespeare

    The Taming of the Shrew

    Artist: Ashcroft / Gielgud

    • The World Of Peggy Ashcroft & John Gielgud.
    • Argo.

  • Artie Shaw

    Oh, Lady be good (from Lady, Be Good!)

    • Artie Shaw and his Orchestra/ Begin The Beguine.
    • RCA Classics.

  • Benjamin Luxon

    Danny Boy

    • Two Gentleman Folk.
    • Telrac.

  • Book Choice

    • A bound copy of the Spectator magazines

  • Luxury Choice

    • A bed, netted from snakes and flies

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Molly Keane

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 May 1990 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 18 May 1990 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 28 Jul 1991 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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