'The Secret Life Of Books' Returns

The Secret Life Of Books is to return to BBC Four for a second series, it has been confirmed. The series will look at a number of literary pieces that were – and still remain – so important today.

Among the presenters include poet John Cooper Clarke, Nicholas Parsons, actor Fiona Shaw, former journalist John Sergeant and novelist Joanna Trollope.

The series will see the presenters return to the original manuscript or rare first edition of their chosen work. They will reveal its history, as well as look at why it was of great importance in its time, and why it continues today.

Cassian Harrison, Editor of BBC Four, said: "Over the last few months, viewers have been enjoying an exciting period of unprecedented and innovative literary coverage right across the BBC, including, amongst many examples, BBC One's The One Show broadcasting live from the Hay Festival, the expansion of the BBC Book Club, BBC Radio 2's literary competition and Talking Books on BBC World News. This second series of The Secret Life of Books continues the BBC's ongoing commitment to more books and literature content. The new series itself has a fantastically eclectic mix of literary works and our six presenters will offer great insight and knowledge."

Nicola Watson, Professor of English Literature at The Open University and academic consultant on The Secret Life Of Books, added: "What's so exciting about the series is that we are taken on an adventure of discovery, learning the biography of each of these masterpieces in the company of presenters who champion their favourite book. We unearth how the books came to be written and what inspired them, who they were written for, how their meanings have changed, and why they still hold the imagination of the nation. What's especially fascinating is to look in detail at so many of the original authors' manuscripts and see the traces of their thinking and working."

The episodes are:
• Edward Lear's Nonsense Songs with Nicholas Parsons
• The Mill On The Floss with Fiona Shaw
• Confessions Of An English Opium Eater with John Cooper Clarke
• Cider With Rosie with Joanna Trollope
• Swallows And Amazons with John Sergeant
• The Faerie Queene with Nina Ramirez

The Secret Life Of Books (6x30') was commissioned by Mark Bell and is produced in partnership with the Open University. The series will continue on BBC Four on 19 October at 8pm, with Nicholas Parsons' film on Edward Lear. The executive producer is Richard Bright.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)