Open BookNeglected Classics: The Advocates
Howard Jacobson
Howard Jacobson's choice is Rasselas by Samuel Johnson.
Howard Jacobson on his choice
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions
The comic novelist Howard Jacobson, who has described himself as "a Jewish Jane Austen", is the author of ten works of fiction, including Who's Sorry Now? and, most recently, The Act of Love.
Listen to an extract from Rasselas
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions
The only work of fiction by the essayist and lexicographer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) follows the struggles of a young prince, Rasselas, to find the secret of a happy life. In this excerpt he encounters a visionary scientist. Reader: Bruce Alexander.
Neglected Classics
Advocates
- Beryl Bainbridge
- William Boyd
- Susan Hill
- Howard Jacobson
- Hari Kunzru
- Val McDermid
- Michael Morpurgo
- Ruth Rendell
- Colm Toibin
- Joanna Trollope
More
Last On
Open Book
Available to listen
Author Bernard MacLaverty talks about 50 years of writing with Mariella Frostrup.
Coming Up
Open Book
28 Nov 2013
Author Bernard MacLaverty talks about 50 years of writing with Mariella Frostrup.
Podcast
[an error occurred while processing this directive]BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
