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5. Vesper Flights

Episode 5 of 5

Celebrating and learning invaluable life lessons from swifts – Helen reads her essay collection on the natural world. From 2020.

Helen Macdonald reads from her collection of essays about "love for the glittering world of non-human life around us."

In this episode, swifts - finding them 'magical in the manner of all things that exist just a little beyond understanding'.

Each essay by the acclaimed nature writer explores humanity’s connection with the natural world, our curiosity about it and our love for it, as well as its increasingly urgent fragility.

The essays are also a reminder that we inhabit a beautiful world and they celebrate its “quality of wonder".

Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2020.

14 minutes

Last on

Sat 5 Oct 202403:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 28 Aug 202009:45
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Sat 29 Aug 202000:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 4 Oct 202408:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 4 Oct 202413:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 4 Oct 202419:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 5 Oct 202403:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra