Free Thinking

Award-winning author Sebastian Faulks speaks to Rana Mitter about his new multi-layered novel, A Possible Life, which explores the chaos created by love, separation and missed opportunities. Sir John Elliott’s book History In The Making tracks the course of the discipline in relation to national and transnational histories. And with a look at China, Rana talks to filmmaker Sun Shuyun about Transcendence, the 3D film about rock star Cui Jian, and author Hsiao-Hung Pai tells Rana the stories from China’s rural migrants.

Philip Dodd talks to the Nobel prize winning economist, Amartya Sen in the concluding programme in Night Waves' examination of the "good life" and what we mean by it.

Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot' (1869) raises 'the good life' as an existential question that everybody must answer for themselves. The novel has been read as both an over-the-top melodrama, and as a profound exploration of the ambiguity of goodness. Matthew Sweet is joined by the theologian Giles Fraser, Russian specialist Sarah Young and the novelist Zinovy Zinik to discuss.

Anne McElvoy examines whether we place too much weight on happiness as a measure of our quality of life.

What is the good life? Philip is joined in the studio by the commentators Robert Skidelsky, Owen Jones and Jamie Whyte, the classicist, Edith Hall, the philosopher, Mark Vernon and the Benedictine Monk, Father Bede Hill to discuss the question.

Ian McMillan is joined by poet Wendy Cope and actor Juliet Stevenson as he announces the winners of this year’s Proms Poetry Competition.

Which literary works make the most entries into celebrity choices on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs? Mariella Frostrup is joined by Sir Tim Rice and writer and broadcaster Kevin Jackson to explore the regular favourites and unexpected misses, the literary classics that 70 years of the great and the good can’t live without - and reveal some surprise choices. Actress and Desert Island Castaway Harriet Walter reads some of the desert island book choices.

Musicologist John Deathridge, introduces an anthology of unexpected readings about Mendelssohn. Rana Mitter presents.

Award-winning film-maker John Bridcut introduces a selection of fascinating and unexpected readings about Edward Elgar, including letters, diaries and reviews. Susan Hitch presents.

Tell Me on a Sunday lyricist Don Black and singer-songwriter Barb Jungr discuss the great musical wordsmiths and reveal their personal favourites, as well as the great lyrics that work even though they really shouldn’t. Matthew Sweet presents.