Devil in the Wilderness

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A son uncovers disturbing secrets in the diaries his journalist father left behind

Saul Wordsworth


    • Jul 19, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 13 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Devil in the Wilderness

    BONUS SIX: The Search for Spratt (part two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 26:10


    With the help of an archivist (and distant relative) Saul Wordsworth closes in on Spratt, a name cited in his father's diaries - and very likely the victim of “that moment in Iraq".Saul Wordsworth's new album Hope Is Not A Strategy is available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services.Images from the series can be found hereExecutive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter. The other voice featured on this episode is Chris Chakraborty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BONUS FIVE: In conversation with Michael Frayn and Blake Morrison

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 35:04


    In this extra-special bonus episode two literary heavyweights, Michael Frayn and Blake Morrison - both of whom knew Christopher Wordsworth - join host Saul Wordsworth for a discussion about father-son memoirs.The Observer piece cited in this episode can be found here.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.The executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.BOOKS BY MICHAEL FRAYNMy Father's FortuneAmongst Others: Friendships and EncountersBOOKS BY BLAKE MORRISONAnd When Did You Last See Your Father?Two Sisters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BONUS FOUR: The search for Spratt

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 24:46


    Saul Wordsworth visits the British Library in  search of Spratt, a name cited in his father's diaries and very likely the central figure in “that moment in Iraq". Link to  BBC feature Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.

    BONUS THREE: New material

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 22:49


    Features previously unheard diary entries including an original poem by Christopher Wordsworth, plus a letter that has recently come to light.NEW RELEASE:  Devil in the Wilderness: the Original Podcast Soundtrack by Saul Wordsworth is available on Spotify, Amazon Music and all other streaming services.Images from the series can be found hereExecutive producer is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.

    BONUS TWO: The Self-Inflicted Wound

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 42:19


    Reproduced in full: Christopher Wordsworth's essay The Self-Inflicted Wound which would propel him from isolation and hunger in the depths of bleak Snowdonia moorland, to Fleet Street. Plus discussion of future bonus episodes and the ripple effect of the series.The music video cited in the episode can be found HEREOriginal music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on SPOTIFY and other streaming services.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.

    BONUS ONE: Speeches at the launch

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 25:48


    El Vino's on Fleet Street played host to an event marking the launch of the series. The speeches were captured and are replayed here. Plus reflections from Saul Wordsworth, and diary entries not featured previously.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.The Observer article cited in this episode can be found here

    6. That moment in Iraq

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 81:10


    6 of 6. Christopher Wordsworth's son, Saul, weighs up the evidence of what happened in Iraq and reaches a conclusion. He also charts his father's final years - and considers his legacy.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services.If you enjoyed the series please give it a star rating or leave a review. Many thanks.Images from the series can be found hereThe track featured in this episode was mixed and mastered by Erik Holmberg @ K51 Studios, Stockholm.

    5. Deliverance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 63:34


    5 of 6. As Christopher Wordsworth's trickle of work turns into a stream, he prepares to make the move from Snowdonia to London, though not before one final indiscretion. Meanwhile, his son Saul explores what it was like growing up with this man as his father.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. ***

    4. Isolation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 70:53


    4 of 6. After five years with Susan Russell, three friends rent Christopher Wordsworth an impossibly remote, derelict cottage seven miles from civilisation.  Here he remains, freezing, starving and haunted by the past - until his fortunes finally begin to shift.  Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. ***

    3. The ghost of madness

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2023 63:06


    3 of 6. Christopher Wordsworth begins a relationship with beautiful American heiress Sue Russell, daughter-in-law of Nobel prize winner Bertrand Russell. But after years of high living, Sue's mental instability finally catches up with them both, and a panorama of tragedy slowly begins to unfold. Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. ***

    2. Snowdonia

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2023 44:45


    2 of 6. Former Fleet Street journalist Christopher Wordsworth fetches up in Snowdonia in 1953 with plans to write The Great Novel, but his arrival causes upset within the community, and his diaries reveal a man haunted by the past.  Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter.Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. ***

    1. Troubled beginnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 44:22


    1 of 6. Christopher Wordsworth was a Fleet Street journalist from 1962 until his death in 1998, when he was 83 and his son Saul Wordsworth 25. He left behind five diaries that span 1953 to 1963, a period when he was divorced, penniless, living in Snowdonia and trying to pen the great novel. When Saul finally read them, he discovered a trove of extraordinary writing, uncomfortable truths and clues his father may have been involved in a truly terrible crime. Episode one serves as background, covering his early years of promise, destruction, divorce and despair - and leads up to his arrival in Snowdonia in 1953.Executive producer of the series is Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). The voice of Christopher Wordsworth is performed by Chris Porter. Original music by Saul Wordsworth from the series is available on Spotify and other streaming services. The track featured in this episode was mixed and mastered by Erik Holmberg @ K51 Studios, Stockholm. *** 

    SERIES TRAILER: Devil in the Wilderness

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 3:02


    Video trailer HERE***Christopher Wordsworth was a literary critic and sports writer on Fleet Street from 1962 until his death in 1998, when he was 83 and his son Saul Wordsworth was 25. He left behind five diaries that cover 1953 to 1963, a period when he was divorced, penniless, living in the wilderness of Snowdonia, and trying to write the great novel. When Saul finally read them, he discovered a trove of secrets, uncomfortable truths and clues his father may have been involved in a truly terrible crime. Producer: Paul Kobrak (The Louis Theroux Podcast). Series release date: October 15th 2023.

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