Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney is a seminal work in the canon of English poetry, celebrated for its exploration of love and longing through a series of sonnets. This collection captures the intense emotions of desire and the complexities of romantic relationships, reflecting the timeless human experience of love's joys and sorrows. Listening to this work today allows audiences to appreciate the beauty of Sidney's language and the depth of his insights into the heart's yearnings, themes that remain relevant across centuries. The enduring nature of these poems speaks to the universal quest for connection and understanding in the realm of love, making it a compelling listen for anyone drawn to the intricacies of the human spirit.

The novel is set in the 1890’s. Clytie Davenant is a headstrong young woman who escapes from the stultifying country life of her family to move to London and work as an artist. There she shares a studio off the King’s Road and enjoys the bohemian society and company of the people she meets. However, she plunges into an unwise marriage and the book (the author’s first) shows the constraints on women’s individuality at the time, and in particular the difficult position of married women in late Victorian society. - Summary by Simon Evers

The novel is set in the 1890’s. Clytie Davenant is a headstrong young woman who escapes from the stultifying country life of her family to move to London and work as an artist. There she shares a studio off the King’s Road and enjoys the bohemian society and company of the people she meets. However, she plunges into an unwise marriage and the book (the author’s first) shows the constraints on women’s individuality at the time, and in particular the difficult position of married women in late Victorian society. - Summary by Simon Evers