20 June 2008
Friday 20 June 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Ian McMillan talks to poet Nathaniel Tarn, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year with three new books. Plus linguist Mark Abley on how new words are being created around the world and are transcending national boundaries, and a new story from young novelist Nicholas Hogg.
Playlist
On The Verb this week Ian McMillan talks to veteran poet Nathaniel Tarn who is eighty this year. His new book, Avia, is an extraordinary poem all about the air battles of the Second World War, capturing the voices of ordinary pilots and airmen - and women - and also that of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh. Nathaniel Tarn tells Ian that flying has been a lifelong fascination for him but despite this Avia took fifteen years to write and he kept the poem secret while he was working on it.
Also this week linguist Mark Abley discusses new forms of English springing up around the world, young novelist Nicholas Hogg introduces a new short story and Tamsin Kendrick performs two poems and talks about her urge that drives her to stand up and share her poetry with an audience.
Avia by Nathaniel Tarn is published by Shearsman
The Prodigal Tongue by Mark Abley is published by Heinemann
Show Me the Sky by Nicholas Hogg is published by Canongate
