A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford
book published 1979
original TV series Channel 4 1985
new TV series Channel 4 2026
The book was an iconic bestseller of the 1980s - and ever since. The original series, starring Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr was for years Channel 4's most-watched programme ever. And now there is a new version for us all to enjoy...
I watched both series and re-read the book for the i newspaper, and you can find my piece here, looking at different aspects of this key cultural artefact - from Margaret Thatcher to dismissive male critics:
I re-read A Woman of Substance after 45 years – I was shocked, but not by the sex
It is the kind of book that is beyond criticism, and has given enormous pleasure to many people. In the article I say
if you don’t long to know how Emma will get her gleeful revenge, then you are dead inside
Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds do a great job as the older and younger Emma Harte, and the 1980s settings and clothes, in particular, are wonderfully authentic. The plot has been tweaked somewhat, plainly to leave the way open for further series. It's the modern way.
Very glad to hear this one is being brought back, Moira. I haven't thought about it for a long time. I haven't seen this adaptation, but it's good to hear that the characters are done well, even if the plot doesn't match the book line for line. And I do like Brenda Blethyn...
ReplyDeleteit's very enjoyable, and Brenda Blethyn is a great choice for the older Emma Harte.
DeleteSusan D here.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get in this time. Usually it tells me I can read a few a month, or something, but this time I was stopped at the gate. Oh well...
They must have tightened up the paywall, I wasn't aware they had done that.
DeleteI couldn't read it either without subscribing, which I don't want to do. Chrissie
ReplyDeleteAs above. I am torn, because I want people to be able to read it, but I also like to get paid for what I do, and that relies on their making money....
DeleteMe again (Susan). Absolutely writers should be paid so it’s really to the good. I get to read many many wonderful things on line and I support various outlets, so if there are some I can’t access, so be it.
DeleteWrite long and prosper.
Thank you, that's gracious! I think it was a better scheme when people could have a couple of articles a month myself.
DeleteThere are ways round these paywalls, which again I am not sure I should be suggesting!
I don't recall ever seeing the older version. I think Blethyn might be more believable as Emma than Deborah Kerr was, Kerr seemed so very lady-like and upper-crust, at least in many of her roles! Not that she couldn't act! But I think someone who fought her way to the top would come across as a little tougher. Just my opinion, of course.
ReplyDeleteKerr was very good I thought - she and Blethyn just play the role somewhat differently.
DeleteBrenda Blethyn is as I imagined the older Emma to be, I'm not quite sure about Jessica as the younger version. I am just watching it now and thoroughly enjoy the melodrama and over the top production values. Lush.
ReplyDeleteIt's just really good fun isn't it? I like your description
DeleteI know nothing about it either as a book or a TV programme, but 'A lifetime dedicated to revenge': isn't that the plot of The Count of Monte Cristo? Chrissie
ReplyDeleteYes that rather unlikely thought occurred to me too (well it would wouldn't it?) though the books don't otherwise have much in common. Though both protagonists became so stupidly rich that they could do whatever they want, pay for their revenge
DeleteNot such an unlikely thought, the Count is practically the poster child for revenge!
DeleteThe books are very dissimilar though
DeleteThey could have chosen a better description for their story--something tailored to the story itself and not so suggestive of a more famous tale! Or maybe the publicity folks had never even heard of Monte Cristo?
DeleteI don't think there is a copyright on that description! It is a perfectly good summing-up of the modern book.
DeleteApparently a new version of CoMC has been filmed? Wonder if the publicity people will describe it as "a lifetime dedicated to revenge"?
ReplyDeleteSam Claflin and Jeremy Irons sounds like a good cast. Apparently there have been more than 50 adaptations over the years.
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