My Dear Bessie: A Love Story in Letters

A BBC Radio 4 Adaptation

By: Chris Barker, Bessie Moore

Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jane Slavin, Louise Brealey

Benedict Cumberbatch and Louise Brealey read a love story in letters, played out against the backdrop of the Second World War.

'Can you feel, as you read these words, that I am thinking of you now; aglow, alive, alert at the thought that you are in the same world, and by some strange chance loving me.'

A small blue box opened in 2008 revealed a wartime world of love, longing and frustration. Inside were bundles and bundles of letters written neatly in pen, in pencil, on thin blue airmail paper or headed army notepaper. Envelopes covered in postmarks, redirections, censor's stamps. A love affair in letters between two people who barely knew each other, thousands of miles apart, in the middle of a war, with no idea when or whether they would ever see each other again.

On September 5th, 1943, Chris Barker, a signalman stationed near Tobruk in North Africa, decided to write to a former work colleague, Bessie Moore, a Morse code interpreter at the Foreign Office back in London. The unexpected warmth of Bessie's reply changed their lives forever.

Chris and Bessie's love letters first appeared in Simon Garfield's book To the Letter. They toured literary festivals as part of Letters Live before being published in a book, My Dear Bessie.

Written by Chris Barker and Bessie Moore.

Letters compiled by Simon Garfield.

Adapted by Sara Davies.

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins.

Cast:

Chris - Benedict Cumberbatch
Bessie - Louise Brealey
Irena - Jane Slavin

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A perfect Valentine!

Tender, lustful, romantic, erotic, endearing - a perfect little love story, perfectly read. Love letters set against the background of World War II. Poignant and enduring.

the best audio to dream about love and passion, a true and passionate love story

wonderful to hear the full story in one sitting

I've seen the Letters Live performances of some of these. So awesome to get the entire story, and BC and LB do a terrific job of embodying the lovers.

Oh for the love of Christopher & Bessie

Please love the 44 minutes as much as I did. It will remind you of why 'fish gotta a swim' and 'birds gotta fly.' And you will swoon to hear Benedict Cumberbatch fall in love and then some. Treat yourself!

enjoyed the story

enjoyed the story. wish there were more letters. good story telling. narrators did a good job

WW II Romance that stands the test of time!

Wonderful exchange of missives during wartime.
The war may be the reason that Chris was so frank in his amorous writing to Bessie, or maybe our parents lied about how young adults behaved before the 1960’s ;)

The voices of two I hoped would get together in the latest Sherlock series, got to be in love in this production, which warmed my heart.

Tender Lusting

The words of love are one thing. This couple's sentences of longing and imagining are tender and breathy. There is a depth not easily attained in today's text, tweet and swipe relationships. Quite a treasure and a terrific way to get ready for en evening with your partner. What a turn-on!

Gem!

Absolutely love and about love and in and about two people in love. Love the narration.

Sweet romance, top notch narration

What made the experience of listening to My Dear Bessie: A Love Story in Letters the most enjoyable?

The quality of narration stands out. They can really act, and it shows.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Bessie. She sounded so sweet and hopeful!

Any additional comments?

I'm now in the mood of writing a love letter to my husband!

Wonderful and beautiful

Such a beautiful love story. It is so lovely and sweet to hear these love letters between 2 people who love each other so dearly and hear of their journey together.