{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6846a0a6a13d3373734aa05d/698cb3995a0d566e5b330b4f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The UK’s Risible Reading Age and Bloody Books","description":"<p>On this week’s episode, Sarah is asking is the English literature curriculum really being dumbed down or are we simply not reading as a country anymore or simply shifting our allegiance to audiobooks? And Peter, as if to prove otherwise, will be bandying a copy of Lord of the Flies around and poring over the latest BBC adaptation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Plus, why was Stephen Fry stalking Peter at a memorial for his late brother? Why we should eat even if the Queen has done with her meal, royal protocol be damned! Why neither wants a coat of arms, divorce etiquette and why the Suez Crisis reminds Peter of his father getting on his bike.</p><p><br></p><p>On our reading and watch list this week:&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lord Of The Flies – William Golding</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Box Of Delights -&nbsp;John Masefield</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Man in Havana – Graham Greene</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Heart Of Darkness – Joseph Conrad</p><p><br></p><p>Please do get in touch, email:&nbsp;Alas@dailymail.co.uk&nbsp;you can leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on Whatsapp – on 07796 657512, start your message with the word ‘alas’.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Presenters: Sarah Vine &amp; Peter Hitchens</p><p>Producer: Philip Wilding</p><p>Editor: Chelsey Moore</p><p>Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini</p><p>Executive Producer: Jamie East</p><p><br></p><p>A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Daily Mail"}