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Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Peter Mayle.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the writer Peter Mayle. Renowned for his best-selling books about life as an Englishman in France, he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his years in advertising, and how he coined the catchphrase Nice one, Cyril', and also about the recent television adaptation of a Year in Provence, which attracted widespread criticism. Criticism and controversy have been a feature of his life since the massive success of his books and he'll be answering many of the charges levelled against him, amongst them the allegation that he has made fun of the French, presenting them as laughable stereotypes as well as attracting hordes of sightseers to disturb the peace of Provence.

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

Favourite track: Caruso by Luciano Pavarotti
Book: The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa
Luxury: The menu from his favourite Parisien restaurant

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40 minutes

Last on

Fri 9 Jul 199309:05
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Luciano Pavarotti

      Caruso

      • Essential Pavarotti.
      • Decca.

  • Jeff Beck

    High Heel Sneakers

    • Frankie's House.
    • Epic.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations - Variation No. 26

    Soloist: Glenn Gould

    • Goldberg Veriations.
    • CBS.

  • The Bryan Ferry Orchestra

    These Foolish Things

    • These Foolish Things.
    • EG.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Violin Concerto in D major

    Soloist: Isaac Stern Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra Conductor: Eugene Ormandy

    • Great Violin Concertos.
    • Duet 2.

  • Richard Wagner

    Tannhäuser (Overture)

    Orchestra: Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France. Conductor: Marek Janowski.

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Wagner Karajan.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Tony Ashton

    Saturday Night Sunday Morning

    • Saturday Night Sunday Morning.
    • Trax.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Chi il bel sogno di Doretta (from La Rondine)

    Soloist: M Caballe Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Charles Mackerras

    • Puccini Arias.
    • EMI.

  • Book Choice

    • The Leopard - Giuseppe di Lampedusa

  • Luxury Choice

    • The menu from his favourite Parisien restaurant

Credits

PresenterSue Lawley
Interviewed GuestPeter Mayle

Broadcasts

  • Sun 4 Jul 199312:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 9 Jul 199309:05
    BBC Radio 4

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