Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 cover art

Lunch: Complete Series 1-4

BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

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Lunch: Complete Series 1-4

By: Marcy Kahan
Narrated by: Stephen Mangan, Claire Skinner
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About this listen

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all four series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama.

Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella teaches yoga, waters the plants in Canary Wharf and holds Proust seminars for retirees. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella.

Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they never discuss is how much they love each other....

In Marcy Kahan's delightful "platonic romantic comedy", we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and over the course of four series, we learn their hopes and dreams and listen in as their lives change direction.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Literature & Fiction Funny Witty

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Critic reviews

"A wise and witty feast for the senses." (Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph)
All stars
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Really enjoyed this series. Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner are old friends who get back in touch and decide to meet once a month for lunch and we get to listen to the travails of their lives. The episodes are in 15 minute chunks so are easy to listen to. As you would expect from two great actors like Mangan and Skinner the characters are interesting and you can't help but want to learn more about the two characters. Overall if you like well written character comedy then this is definitely worth your time.

Different, but entertaining

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This is a gem of really high order. Marcy Kahan writes brilliantly for radio and these two actors bring her witty and warm words to life in such a believable way, that through the tiny window of a fifteen minute conversation once a month I feel as though I know them both very intimately, and have loved every minute. Have listened again and again, and it never gets boring.

Wonderful writing

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Quality radio comedy from top class actors. Short episodes whizz by. Don't know how I missed it on the radio.

Good value dining

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I didn't find it too comical at first, but entertaining enough to keep listening. As the series went on I found it seemed to get funnier and having downloaded it thinking it would be convenient to have some quick-plays to dip in and out of, I ended up listening to it all very quickly. The biggest negative was the title music but otherwise a very enjoyable listen.

charming series of quick listens

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A brilliant audiobook which keeps you entertained and unable to 'put down' as not being able to wait to hear the next 'episode'.
Great narration, great book!
Highly recommended.

Hilarious and captivating!

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Can you do another series.. Several years on special... Don't want to ruin it for anybody but love to see how they got on!

Loved it, refreshingly funny!

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Would you listen to Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 again? Why?

The only bad thing about this book is the fact it will end. You come to this conclusion within a few minutes. The end of the series took me by surprise when it didn't roll on to the next episode. Not unlike the sensation of lying on a sunbed and the timer runs out - you go from a warm, light (if somewhat sweaty world), back into the slightly dim real world.

What other book might you compare Lunch: Complete Series 1-4 to, and why?

Frasier - for wit and charm perhaps, Gogglebox - for intimacy at a push...

What does Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They are both utterly charming.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I restrained myself as much as possible

Any additional comments?

Marcy, Claire, Stephen..take me to Lunch.

I want to live in this world

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A very pleasant, series of short episodes that let you get a glimpse at the lives of two friends who 'lunch'. Well acted and endearing, but the end feels very unresolved. Turns out there is another series not available here. Worth a listen anyway, but I'll not be able to rest until I find a way to hear the next series!

Enjoyable, but incomplete - where is series 5?

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such a calming listen, i've listened a few times now.
lovely duo.
has helped me to relax

Easy listening

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I wasn't entirely sure about this during episode one but stuck with it. A delightful comedy about two friends with different values.

A Slow Burning Comedy

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