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Mavis Staples, Carmen Maria Machado, Christmas ghost stories

Mavis Staples addresses racial issues in the US through song, Carmen Maria Machado on her short stories, and Christmas ghost stories explored.

Mavis Staples, formerly of the gospel group The Staple Singers, discusses her new album If All I Was Was Black, ten songs which address the continuing racial issues in America today. The singer, who first performed in 1948, also reflects on her association with Martin Luther King and her close friendship with Prince.

Her Body and Other Parties is the acclaimed debut short story collection from American writer Carmen Maria Machado. The book sits between magic realism, science-fiction and horror and Carmen reveals what she drew on to create the stories.

With Christmas fast approaching - along with stage, film and TV versions 脿 go-go of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - writer, comedian, and self-professed fan of the Christmas ghost story, Danny Robins, explores our endless fascination for them.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 19 Dec 2017 19:15
91热爆 Radio 4

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Chapters

  • Mavis Staples

    Duration: 10:19

  • Carmen Maria Machado

    Duration: 07:55

  • Christmas Ghost Stories

    Duration: 09:34

Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples with Front Row host Stig Abell

Her new album If All I Was Was Black聽is available now

Carmen Maria Machado

Carmen Maria Machado
Carmen Maria Machado's debut short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties, is available now

Photo:聽Tom Storm Photography

Christmas Ghost Stories

Christmas Ghost Stories
Danny Robins' podcast Haunted is available to download from all usual outlets

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is on Saturday 30th December at 7.10pm on 91热爆 1

Credits

Interviewed Guest Mavis Staples
Interviewed Guest Carmen Maria Machado
Interviewed Guest Danny Robins

Broadcast

  • Tue 19 Dec 2017 19:15
    91热爆 Radio 4

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