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Devil in the Wilderness
1. Troubled beginnings
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1 of 6. Video trailer here. Christopher Wordsworth was a Fleet Street journalist from 1962 until his death in 1998, when he was 83. He left behind five diaries that span 1953 to 1963, a period when he was divorced, penniless, living in Snowdonia and trying to pen the great novel.
Episode one serves as background, covering his early years of promise, destruction, divorce and despair - and leads up to his arrival in Snowdonia in 1953.
Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.
Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.
The track featured at the end of this episode was mixed and mastered by Erik Holmberg @ K51 Studios, Stockholm.
Images from the series can be found here
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BONUS SIX: The Search for Spratt (part two)
26:10|With the help of an archivist (and distant relative) Saul Wordsworth closes in on Spratt, a name cited in his father's diaries - and very likely the victim of “that moment in Iraq".Saul Wordsworth's new album Hope Is Not A Strategy is available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services.Images from the series can be found hereExecutive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter. The other voice featured on this episode is Chris Chakraborty.BONUS FIVE: In conversation with Michael Frayn and Blake Morrison
35:04|In this extra-special bonus episode two huge literary figures, Michael Frayn and Blake Morrison - both of whom knew Christopher Wordsworth - join host Saul Wordsworth for a discussion about father-son memoirs.The Observer piece cited in this episode can be found hereImages from the series - including photographs taken during this three-way discussion - can be found hereOriginal music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.The executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.BOOKS BY MICHAEL FRAYNMy Father's FortuneAmongst Others: Friendships and EncountersBOOKS BY BLAKE MORRISONAnd When Did You Last See Your Father?Two SistersBONUS FOUR: The Search for Spratt
24:46|Saul Wordsworth revisits the British Library in search of Spratt, a name cited in his father's diaries and very likely the figure central to “that moment in Iraq".Link to BBC feature Images from the series can be found hereOriginal music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.BONUS THREE: New material
22:49|This episode features previously unheard diary entries including an original poem by Christopher Wordsworth, plus a letter that has recently come to light.NEW RELEASE: Devil in the Wilderness: Original Podcast Soundtrack by Saul Wordsworth is available on Spotify, Amazon Music and all other streaming services.Images from the series can be found hereExecutive producer is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.BONUS TWO: The Self-Inflicted Wound
42:19|Reproduced in full: Christopher Wordsworth's essay The Self-Inflicted Wound - which would propel him from isolation and hunger in the depths of bleak Snowdonia moorland, to Fleet Street. Plus discussion of future bonus episodes and the ripple effect of the series.The music video cited in the episode can be found HEREOriginal music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on SPOTIFY and other streaming services.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Images from the series can be found hereBONUS ONE: Speeches at the launch
25:48|El Vino's on Fleet Street played host to an event marking the launch of the series. The speeches were captured and are replayed here. Plus reflections from Saul Wordsworth, and diary entries not featured previously.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.The Observer article cited in this episode can be found hereImages from the series can be found here6. That moment in Iraq
01:21:10|6 of 6. Christopher Wordsworth's son, Saul, weighs up the evidence of what happened in Iraq and reaches a conclusion. He also charts his father's final years - and considers his legacy.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.If you enjoyed the series please give it a star rating or leave a review. Many thanks.Images from the series can be found hereThe track featured in this episode was mixed and mastered by Erik Holmberg @ K51 Studios, Stockholm.5. Deliverance
01:03:34|5 of 6. As Christopher Wordsworth's trickle of work turns into a stream, he prepares to make the move from Snowdonia to London, though not before one final indiscretion that still reverberates today. Meanwhile, his son Saul explores what it was like growing up with this man as his father.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.Images from the series can be found here***4. Isolation
01:10:53|4 of 6. After five years with Susan Russell, three friends rent Christopher Wordsworth an impossibly remote, derelict cottage seven miles from civilisation. Here he remains, freezing, starving and haunted by the past - until his fortunes finally begin to shift. Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. Images from the series can be found here***