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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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What listeners say about Ruskin Park
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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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- 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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- roger
- 30-09-23
Wonderful story
This is a wonderful story, that details a fascinating family history that is superbly told.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable to the end.
A fascinating story of Rory’s mother and his life. Made all the more enjoyable by the reading in his so familiar voice.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-12-23
Very moving family saga
I was gripped by this account that Rory discovered through his mother’s enormous correspondence about her colourful yet deeply sad life. So we’ll written and crafted.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Martin
- 15-09-23
An amazing love story
What an amazing woman Sylvia was and a beautiful tribute from her son. Thoroughly enjoyed the book but tissues required!
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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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- 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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Elisabeth
- 22-09-23
An interesting family story
Of great interest was Sylvia’s experience and drive to undertake her job and career as a woman simultaneously coping with a family. All the men around her achieving this but for a woman nigh on impossible and at greatly reduced pay. And all this in my lifetime. She had great energy for everything, her children, friends, colleagues and job. A real achiever against the odds. Well done Sylvia.
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