麻豆社

For two decades, Great Lives on 麻豆社 Radio 4 and 4 Extra has explored what it takes to change the world.

But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question:

What does it take to live with someone who changes the world?

Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish.

This series explores the many "supporting roles" needed to sustain an apparently "singular" genius.

Now Helen turns her attention to those less well-known other halves who have taken on not just the role of Great Wife but also that of typist.

We meet Sonya Tolstaya, Vera Nabokov and hear what happened when the English professor Bruce Holsinger researched the phrase "my wife typed".

Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott

Producer: Richard Morris

Sound Design: Chris Maclean

A 麻豆社 Studios production for 麻豆社 Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2021.

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