New BBC Radio 4 documentary exploring the work and life of Jan Morris, the author who wrote ‘Fisher’s Face’
I came across a wonderful BBC Radio 4 documentary on Saturday, 8th January 2022 that explores the work and life of the magnificent author Jan Morris who wrote ‘Fisher’s Face’ the biography of Admiral Fisher. A book that has been read by many members of the Fisher family since it was published in 2007.
The BBC Radio 4 programme is presented by Horatio Clare, author and broadcaster, who takes you on the remarkable journey of Jan’s life and books. It is wonderful to hear Jan being interviewed, the reading of her words, and to listen to the programme contributors’ thoughts and feelings on Jan’s vast catalogue of work, her journalistic achievements, her views on the Empire and her travels around the world.
“A bust on the roof top, it’s a handsome man, it’s Jack Fisher her lifelong love so she said”
At the beginning of the programme I was captivated listening to Michael Palin, actor, presenter and author, who is a huge admirer of Jan’s and had interviewed her 5 years earlier and, as with everyone, is introduced to Jan’s imaginary romance with Jack Fisher.
“She pulls open her bedroom cupboard door then I see her eyes widen indicating a poster on the inside of the door of Admiral Fisher, hatless and covered in medals looking out at us. He looks quite young, dashing and a little sinister, and then she claims she is going to have an affair with him in the afterlife”
It was also interesting to hear from Twn Morys, Jan’s son, the travel writer Sara Wheeler, the author Sathnam Sanghera and the writer Paul Clements talk about Jan’s life in the programme. I am looking forward to reading Paul’s biography about Jan and to see how he will uncover all of Jan’s different masks. We can learn more about her remarkable life and how Fisher impacted her.
It is wonderful to imagine Fisher’s response to meeting Jan in the afterlife and the discussions they would have about the Empire and the travel each of them achieved through their lives, the people they encountered and how they both saw the world change over their very different lifetimes.
The gift of writing and the imagination of authors who invite us into their minds, becomes a personal and inspiring experience - indeed a privilege to see the world through their eyes to open us up to new thoughts, feelings and images which we then can create and expand our own minds. And as a film producer, bringing characters and stories to the screen is a remarkable experience and, as with books, an experience for audiences to enjoy forever.
Penelope Fisher
19/1/22