Nevil Shute was such an excellent wordsmith. This is tense and pacy, with a semi-omniscient audience structure (ie, we aren't told the plot, but we know enough to come to conclusions long before the characters do) which in this case increases the tension. The outcomes were never obvious (in fact I expected far worse and less honourable moves as the cover-up took shape). The woman who pulls all the loose ends together is never directly rewarded, but seems satisfied with the outcome. A satisfying and realistic wartime drama. Nevil Shute Norway was a British forces pilot and aeronautical engineer, and his aeronautical design knowledge shows up in his novels, including this one.
NSN was the designer of the independent Air Ship the 101 (or 100, I can never remember which is which). His autobiography “Slide Rule” is worth reading, I read it decades ago when I discovered a proof copy in a bookcase.
very good play!!! love how everything works out. thanks so much :) 🌷🛩 the poetic philosophical ending is beautiful. there is the big picture which goes down in the history books. but there are so many individual people who make up that history who are often glossed over and their stories are poignant, even more poignant than the whole picture. we have soldiers coming back from the middle east who have gone through hell, who have both physical and mental problems - some don’t make it - it is just too much for them. this happened in WWI, WWII, Nam, and today. we should n know their stories. and who tells us about them - writers: playwrights, Hemingway, Stephen Crane (Red Badge of Courage), film writers. sometimes in the media. another group are the photographers - sometimes their shots say so much more, than one can write. again, thank you so much for giving us this radio-play, which is wonderfully produced in every way 🌷🖊🪶
Great story and Shute is always worth a listen. One thing. How come barmaids seem to always have a ridiculously dumb voice? I couldn't remember all those drinks orders and add the cost up in my head. Quite often they are made out to by empty headed blondes This one one was particularly sharp. Deserved better! 😉
In those days Flying Officers and other senior ranks were recruited from the middle classes. Barmaid and working class characters always sounded " thick " ! I f anyone wants a real shock read up on Douglas Bader - the heroic fighter pilot - and how he treated anyone of power orders . Unbelievable !! Then get the true story of Colditz .......
