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Ruskin Park
- Sylvia, Me and the BBC
- Narrated by: Rory Cellan-Jones
- Length: 8 hrs
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Ruskin Park
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Summary
Can we ever really know the truth about our parents?
'For Rory, to read and think about - in the hope it will help him to understand how it really was.'
Rory Cellan-Jones knew he was the child of a love affair between two BBC employees. But until his mother died and he found a file labelled 'For Rory' he knew little of its beginning or ending. Or why his peculiarly isolated childhood had so tested the bond between him and Sylvia as she single-parented two sons in a one-bedroom flat, while working full time, through the 1950s and 60s.
This is a compelling account of what Rory uncovered in the papers, letters and diaries; of a relationship between two romantics and the restrictive forces of post-war respectability and prejudice that ended it. It is also an evocation of the centrifugal force at the centre of all their lives - the BBC itself.
Both tender and troubling, the drama moves from wartime radio broadcasts to the golden era of TV drama. His father may have directed The Forsyte Saga and Rory may have watched him from afar, but he would never actually meet him until adulthood, when the damage to his mother's life had already been done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anthony Thorley
- 08-09-23
The Stocking Box Of Surprises
Rory narrates his book in an easy style. Doesn't flinch from his preconceived ideas of his mother. Then the contents of the stocking box reveal an extraordinary woman battling to live a meaningful life, trying to do the best for her children all while constrained buy the social moors of the times. Rory with kindness is able to look at her life and his role in it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- C Kendall
- 02-12-23
Time is a great healer
I loved this book. It is a fitting tribute both to Sylvia and to Jim as well. It's honest, down to earth, poignant and beautifully read by Rory. I find it very touching that after the anguish and adversarial nature of the circumstances surrounding his birth, that he found his way to the other side of his family as an adult. It makes you think about your parents both in later life, as you know them, and in their youth, when you didn't. We could all do with understanding our parents better, but not all of us have the archive that Sylvia left for Rory to piece together their story. Wonderful.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jane W
- 27-11-23
Wonderful story beautifully told
Fascinating social history of the BBC and the times. Beautifully and sympathetically written by the author.
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- P. Page
- 26-11-23
Ever wanted to know what’s in a BBC HR file?
Beautifully written and read by Rory Cellan-Jones, Ruskin Park is a fabulous listen. The story unpicked from the letters and carbon copies of his mother’s replies are stitched together with the story of Rory’s long contemplated research. The correspondence reveals a fascinating tale that was swept under the carpet and then covered with a rug by all involved. Moving and laugh out loud funny, Rory’s range of voices bring all the characters to life. If you like Ruskin Park, you’ll enjoy Rory’s other book Always on.
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- Hima
- 15-11-23
Double tribute
Enjoyed reading the tribute discovered by a mother’s archives cataloging her very sad life and loves.
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- Sally
- 12-11-23
Heartfelt and fascinating, Thoroughly enjoyable and brought a tear to my eye.
What a wonderful, strong and determined woman Sylvia was. My heart broke at the devastation she must have felt at so many times in her life, but the tenacity she showed in bringing up her little family in the face of adversity is absolutely admirable.
Well done Rory for a truly wonderful account of your mother and your life.
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- Emma
- 07-11-23
Listen
Loved this gentle and respectful story. Very touching tribute from a son to his fiercely characterful mother
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- Anonymous User
- 03-11-23
Memories of the BBC
Thoroughly enjoyed Sylvia and Rory’s BBC story.
Worked at the BBC for 20 years + and the book and the language brought back many memories (even Albertines)
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- Liz O'Sullivan
- 26-10-23
Extremely moving, gripping life story.
Excellently written & read real-life story of Rory’s life, with main focus on the strengths, struggles, sufferings & joys of his late mother (& brother & wider family history). So much emotion surges though her great loves, worries, battles, hardships, successes, later loneliness & life at the BBC, as Rory pieces together her story through thousands of letters & documents she had stored over the decades. Profoundly moving throughout. Sylvia was a real heroine.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-10-23
Very enjoyable
Thank you Rory for writing this book - I have really enjoyed listening to you read it
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- Ann
- 23-09-23
Lovely Tribute to a Mother
TwitterX can be a cringey place but lovely things can still be found. A shy dog named Sophie from Romania showed up in my feed and I followed her "Dad"- the author of this book. I bought the audiobook on a whim and am glad I did. It is full of history, loss, regret and love. The cadence and delivery was pleasing and having only read the authors last name I can now pronounce it properly.
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1 person found this helpful