3. Stability and Hope

It's 1952 and idealistic architects Arthur and Florence Mayhood have taken on ex-borstal inmates Joyce and Charlie Savigear as apprentices at their practice on their farm in Surrey, Leventree, inspired by the principles of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

But what starts out as a seemingly straightforward story of good intentions and opportunity rapidly turns into a darker story full of secrets and lies.

And yet through tragedy come lessons learnt and a determination to hold on to one’s dreams.

Benjamin Wood’s first novel, The Bellwether Revivals, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the Commonwealth Book Prize, and won Le Prix du Roman Fnac.

Read by Rupert Evans.

Abridger: Sara Davies

Producer: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2023.