Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 cover art

Lunch: Complete Series 1-4

BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

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Lunch: Complete Series 1-4

By: Marcy Kahan
Narrated by: Stephen Mangan, Claire Skinner
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About this listen

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all four series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama.

Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella teaches yoga, waters the plants in Canary Wharf and holds Proust seminars for retirees. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella.

Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they never discuss is how much they love each other....

In Marcy Kahan's delightful "platonic romantic comedy", we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and over the course of four series, we learn their hopes and dreams and listen in as their lives change direction.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Literature & Fiction Funny Witty

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Critic reviews

"A wise and witty feast for the senses." (Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph)
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This is a gem of really high order. Marcy Kahan writes brilliantly for radio and these two actors bring her witty and warm words to life in such a believable way, that through the tiny window of a fifteen minute conversation once a month I feel as though I know them both very intimately, and have loved every minute. Have listened again and again, and it never gets boring.

Wonderful writing

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Quality radio comedy from top class actors. Short episodes whizz by. Don't know how I missed it on the radio.

Good value dining

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A very pleasant, series of short episodes that let you get a glimpse at the lives of two friends who 'lunch'. Well acted and endearing, but the end feels very unresolved. Turns out there is another series not available here. Worth a listen anyway, but I'll not be able to rest until I find a way to hear the next series!

Enjoyable, but incomplete - where is series 5?

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I loved the whole idea of a lunch based drama in small sections (even though I ended up listening in bulk!). The performances were excellent and believable. The only downside was the annoying music at beginning and end of each chapter, it got grating as I listened to the whole audiobook in 3 sittings. It might not annoy those who listen to each bit separately! Overall a fantastic piece of writing and performance! Can’t wait for the next season!

Loved it!

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Would you listen to Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 again? Why?

The only bad thing about this book is the fact it will end. You come to this conclusion within a few minutes. The end of the series took me by surprise when it didn't roll on to the next episode. Not unlike the sensation of lying on a sunbed and the timer runs out - you go from a warm, light (if somewhat sweaty world), back into the slightly dim real world.

What other book might you compare Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 to, and why?

Frasier - for wit and charm perhaps, Gogglebox - for intimacy at a push...

What does Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They are both utterly charming.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I restrained myself as much as possible

Any additional comments?

Marcy, Claire, Stephen..take me to Lunch.

I want to live in this world

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