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Episode details

Radio 4,07 Oct 2011,45 mins

Mobile Phone Novels, Women in the Dock, Buffalo Gals

Woman's Hour

Available for over a year

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary has launched what's thought to be the first mobile phone novel in the UK. Known as 'keitai' novels the trend is already well established in Japan. Should parents embrace or resist the trend towards digital books - does it matter if kids only read e-books in future? She was called "Foxy Knoxy" and a "She-Devil" in court, but as Amanda Knox walks free from her murder charge just what was it about her that made her so infamous? And what does the unmatched media frenzy say about our changing attitudes to women accused? Kate Lissauer started playing Appalachian mountain music as a teenager in her native Maryland. Now living in Somerset she's recruited a group of English musicians and dancers to her Old Time String Band, The Buffalo Gals. They play the front-porch music of the early settlers. Felicity Finch meets the Gals at Didmarton Blue Grass Festival. More women in Asia are choosing to stay single - or get married later in life according to recent research. And whilst it maybe good news for women gaining more personal freedom and career independence - what are the implications if more women choose to reject marriage in countries where sex selection abortion is practised? Presented by Sheila McClennon.

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