Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Writer and autobiographer, best known for her memoir 'Growing Pains' about her early life.
On the island
Eight records
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Géza Anda, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Well, this is really a record I've loved for a long time ... And I used to hear this during the war when I was staying with friends.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation 18
Julius Katchen, London Philharmonic Orchestra
which I also heard in the war and I must have got the record and played it during the evenings.
And this they played through a film of mine called Frenchman's Creek. And my husband simply adored it.
Pavane pour une infante défunte
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Pierre Monteux
There's a picture, I think, by Velasquez of a little infanta with her hands out as though she was dancing ... It's very soothing. It's lovely.
Sinfonia of London, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
And I've chosen this because in a curious way It's also rather like Pavan. It takes me back to this seventeenth century.
And one of the most popular songs I've heard during the past, say, twelvemonth Is Charles Aznavour Singing a song called She.
Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (Theme from The Onedin Line)Favourite
it's the theme tune that they play in the One Edin line. And that sends me, it absolutely sends me. But this on the desert island, I think it would get me moving to do something.
The Ship's Company and Band of HMS Ark Royal
There's a glorious song that the Ark Royalship Sings called sailing ... this would really get me into a cockle shell, I think. or something to start pulling out to see, it inspires me.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:39What would you be happiest to have left behind if you were on a desert island?
I don't think anything particular. I should be unhappy to leave my home which I love.
Presenter asks
0:50How much does music mean to you? Is it an important thing in your life?
I've got to be very frank with you, and tell you it used to mean much more than it does now.
Presenter asks
3:34Do your children show any signs of keeping up the [writing] tradition?
Uh no, I can't say they do, but I do have hopes of a grandson, my son's eldest boy, Freddie, who writes very good poems.
Presenter asks
4:19Were you a bookish girl?
Devi, I never stopped reading. Uh I learnt at about the age of three and four, then gradually got on to to books, and never never stopped from then on till rather late in life.
The keepsakes
The book
Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
I'd have Jane Austen, and there's an edition I have at the moment beside my bed which has three novels in it.
The luxury
When I turn on the gramophone in the evening, I would like what I do here. At seven o'clock I have my nip of whisky and ginger ale.
Presenter asks
6:15When did the West Country come into your life?
Ah, well, this was about nineteen twenty six, twenty seven, when the family suddenly decided they'd like us to have a holiday home in Cornwall. and we came down and discovered Febyside ... And this I simply adored from the start
Presenter asks
14:21Which [film adaptations of your books] have you liked most?
I would oh, I would think Rebecca. Yes, I I think that was very good. ... Lawrence Olivia and Joan Fontaine. I would say that was definitely the best.
“I have a terrific thing about the past. I adore history and especially the sort of seventeenth century time.”
“I'm much more particular about biography now, and I was determined to keep the facts, not ... do anything fictitious at all. I can surmise certain things, but not n not fiction.”
“I think wherever I live I get to think about the place and and my imagination starts working.”