The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a classic and influential work that covers various periods of Franklin's life. It is divided into four parts, written at different times, and includes his childhood, apprenticeship to his brother James, his early methodical plans for 'arriving at moral perfection,' his experiments with electricity, and his political career. The autobiography provides an intimate and honest account of Franklin's life, reflecting his determination, work ethic, and practical wisdom. Despite its tortuous publication history, it remains one of the most famous autobiographies ever written.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys is a comprehensive record of daily life in 17th century London, written by Samuel Pepys from January 1660 to May 1669. The diary provides vivid descriptions of major historical events such as the Great Plague of London, the Great Fire of London, and the Second Anglo-Dutch War. It also offers insights into Pepys' personal life, including his career rise in the Navy, his marital issues, and his numerous extramarital affairs. The diary is renowned for its frankness and detailed accounts of everyday life, making it a valuable historical resource and a reflection of the turbulent times in which Pepys lived.
Russell Hoban's 'Ridley Walker' is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a future England, approximately 2000 years after a nuclear war. The novel is known for its unique and inventive language, which reflects the broken and fragmented nature of the post-apocalyptic world. The story follows young Ridley Walker as he navigates a world where technology and knowledge have been lost, and the remnants of the past are slowly being forgotten. The novel explores themes of survival, memory, and the power of language to shape our understanding of the world. It is considered a masterpiece of post-apocalyptic fiction and a testament to Hoban's skill as a writer.
In 'A Clockwork Orange', Anthony Burgess depicts a dystopian future where teenage gangs roam the streets, committing acts of violence and mayhem. The protagonist, Alex, narrates his experiences as the leader of such a gang and his subsequent capture and submission to the Ludovico Technique, a controversial behavioral conditioning treatment aimed at eradicating his violent tendencies. The novel delves into profound questions about the nature of good and evil, the limits of individual freedom, and the role of government in shaping human behavior. Through Alex's journey, Burgess examines the complexities of human nature and the delicate balance between freedom and constraint[1][3][5].
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
The diaries of Leo Tolstoy are a comprehensive and intimate record of his life, covering a period of sixty-four years. They were written from 1847 until his death and include his thoughts on morality, his surroundings, and the progress of his writings. The early diaries, particularly those from his youth (1847-1861), reveal Tolstoy's dual personality as both a pleasure-seeker and a moralist. These diaries were edited by his friend Vladimir Tchertkoff and translated from Russian by C. J. Hogarth and A. Sirnis. They provide a unique insight into Tolstoy's spiritual conflicts, his attempts at self-regulation, and the evolution of his philosophical and moral beliefs[2][3][4].
The diary begins in January 1915, just before Woolf published her first novel, *The Voyage Out*, and ends in 1919. It provides a unique insight into Woolf's life, including her daily activities, interactions with friends and contemporaries like Katherine Mansfield and T.S. Eliot, and her reflections on writing and her state of mind. The diary also serves as a civilian record of World War I, detailing events such as air raids, rationing, and the Spanish Flu. The entries are divided between her time in Richmond and East Sussex, reflecting different aspects of her life during this period[1][2][3].
“A diary is not only a text: it is a behaviour, a way of life, of which the text is a by-product", says the French theorist Philipe Lejeune. From ancient Babylon to journalling today, politicians' jottings and the notes made by eighteenth century writers like Mary Hamilton and Fanny Burney. Matthew Sweet discusses diaries with curator Irving Finkel, literary historian Sophie Coulombeau, political commentator Michael Crick and writer Oliver Burkeman, whose latest book is Meditation For Mortals, plus the philosopher Maximillian De Gaynesford.
And, as Radio 4 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Russell Hoban with a reading of his novel Turtle Diary as Book At Bedtime, writer Sonia Overall discusses his work.
Producer: Luke Mulhall
Arts & Ideas 
