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The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence & A Division of the Spoils cover art

The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence & A Division of the Spoils

By: Paul Scott
Narrated by: Mark Bazeley,Anna Maxwell Martin,Benedict Cumberbatch,full cast,Geraldine James,Kulvinder Ghir,Nina Wadia,Prasanna Puwanarajah
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Summary

An epic full-cast dramatisation of Paul Scott’s classic series of novels charting the last days ofthe British Raj.

Spanning the years from 1942 to 1947, this landmark saga explores the relationships between an array of soldiers and civilians stationedin India, as the sun sets on British colonial rule.

As The Jewel in the Crown opens, World War II is at its height and Gandhi is calling for the British to leave. When Daphne Manners arrives in Mayapore, she meets two men who will change her life: Hari Kumar and Ronald Merrick. She begins to fall for Hari, but Ronald Merrick - the local police superintendent – becomes infatuated with her and seethes with hatred for Hari.

The Day of the Scorpion finds Merrick worming his way into the Layton family, and his treatment of Hari Kumar is revealed. In The Towers of Silence, it is summer 1945, and as the war ends Mabel Layton’s companion Barbie Batchelor is forced to leave her home in Pankot. In A Division of the Spoils, Sergeant Guy Perron arrives to witness India’s independence, while the Laytons plan for their future – but the division of the country will spark tragic consequences for many.

The extensive, star-studded cast includes Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House, Motherland), Prasanna Puwanarajah (Doctor Foster), Geraldine James (who also starred in the film of The Jewel in the Crown), Mark Bazeley (Broadchurch), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Kulvinder Ghir (Goodness Gracious Me) and Nina Wadia (Eastenders).

Dramtised by John Harvey (The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence) and Shelley Silas (A Division of the Spoils).

Produced and directed by Sally Avens (The Jewel in the Crown, A Division of the Spoils) and Jeremy Mortimer (The Day of theScorpion, The Towers of Silence).

Music by Raiomond Mirza.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence & A Division of the Spoils

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EXCELLENT PRODUCTION

I have the DVD set of the TV series and this production is just as good. Great radio interpretation full of atmosphere as though we are taken back into the time of India in the era of the Raj. Recommend.

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10 people found this helpful

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Incredibly well done!!

Its a book I know well. It covers some of the aspects of both partition and the independence of India by using fictitious characters and families.

I was slightly unsure if I would enjoy it as its had to be cut to only 8 hours yet it was so well done I listened to it basically in one go.

The cast did a brilliant job. The story captured the essence of the book so well. It starts well, it ends well and in between I found yet again I was crying as the cast and script writers were so good they were able to produce that feeling of 'knowing' and caring (with some sadness at some of the injustices) about the characters and the Indians set in this period of history.

If you know the book and like me are slightly worried it has been so abridged don't let it put you off. Though there is so much missing it leaves nothing major out.

If you don't know the book its a fictional story set in true historical times, it covers from around 1941 through to 1947 when India divided into two counties and both got their Independence. Its a very powerful story.

It doesn't shy away from the problems of separation. and for me the book felt 'real' but this cast did it so well it also brought them all to life so well.

This audio book really is incredibly well done.

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7 people found this helpful

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Excellent audible experience

A superb story. Sound quality and stage direction made this a thoroughly compelling listening experience.

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7 people found this helpful

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Beautifully performed

This is a great listen. All four books compressed into a few hours, but the characters retain their integrity and depth. Such a beautiful but haunting story. Well worth a listen if you don't have time for the unabridged audio books. Really good performances all round. This story will stay with me. Thoroughly recommend.

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6 people found this helpful

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Excellent Human Insight into the complexities of the British relationship with India just before independence

I loved the ITV series and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting through this audio book. Helps to be familiar with the series or books as so many different characters. Really first class casting and performances. No negatives

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5 people found this helpful

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cut too short, enjoyed story

too short, enjoyed story but so much was cut. can't complain about any other part

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4 people found this helpful

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Absolutely superb.

This is one of the best audio presentations I have ever heard. The atmospheric production and the faultless performances could not be improved upon. Simply superb.

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2 people found this helpful

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Enjoyed every minute

Wonderful dramatization. Well done BBC Radio4.
Interesting stories, taking us out from our day to day life to experience another time and culture.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great listen

Great story, performance & production. This production did take me back in time of the Raj. Amazing & sad story at the same time. Worth a listen.

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Excellent

Although abbreviated it carried me back to this wonderful story …. Well cast and just engrossing… loved it …

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