Listen to Barbara Kingsolver on self sufficiency

I've been listening to a lot of radio of late - something one can do "hands free" during the day without succumbing to endless episodes of Deal Or No Deal on the TV.

Writer Barbara Kingsolver was on Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4 this week talking about her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle in which she charts her family's attempts to live for a year only on what they produced or could buy from local producers. You can hear the interview here.* It's inspiring but also a bit scary to contemplate for those of us who, despite our efforts to grow our own, still want to eat pineapples, mangos and stuff that just isn't available locally.

*Unfortunately the BBC only allows audio clips to be listened to up to a week after broadcast so this link is now dead... sorry

Comments

[John Curtin]

Jane,

Haven't heard the piece but will listen. I've read Animal Vegetable, Miracle. A bit laboured at times but she has a good turn of phrase, a wry sense of humour but there are quite a few Americanisms so it might not travel well.

[Matron]

I just love the 'listen again' feature on Radio4 - I will never miss GQT again. An interesting topic I will make a point to listen. Actually I gave up all supermarkets for Lent. Visited local growers, grew my own, or emptied my cupboards and freezer. Saved a whole load of money too.

[Frankie]

I loved Poisonwood Bible so will give it a try - thanks!