The Stone Diaries & Unless

Synopsis

Two novels by the award-winning Canadian writer Carol Shields, dramatised for BBC RadioCarol Shields was one of Canada’s most renowned contemporary authors. Often compared to Jane Austen, her deft, witty and compassionate works depicting the everyday lives of ordinary people won her numerous literary honours. Included here are adaptations of her Pulitzer Prize-winning tour de force, The Stone Diaries, and her final novel Unless, which was nominated for the Booker Prize in 2002. Both feature a full cast of well-known audio performers, including Barbara Barnes, Laurel Lefkow, Peter Marinker, William Hope, Teresa Gallagher and Garrick Hagon.The Stone Diaries – This remarkable fictional biography tells the story of Daisy Goodwill from her unexpected birth in rural Canada in 1905 to her death in a Florida nursing home nearly 90 years later. Like the 20th century itself, her life is full of uncertainties and instability. As she navigates the milestones of marriage, motherhood, widowhood and retirement, Daisy attempts to find her place in the world, reflecting on and reframing her life through the prism of her memories and her rich, colourful imagination.Unless – Reta Winters has always considered herself to be a sunny, contented person. But then her 19-year-old daughter Norah suddenly drops out of university to sit on a Toronto sidewalk with a begging bowl and a cardboard sign that reads ‘Goodness’. Devastated, Reta attempts to discover why Norah has turned her back on her loved ones – and as she searches for answers, she learns that happiness is not what she thought. Fierce, fearless and frank, this compelling tale of loss, family and a woman’s role in society is adapted for radio by the Booker-nominated novelist Deborah Levy.Text copyright © the Carol Shields Literary TrustFirst published 1993 (The Stone Diaries) and 2002 (Unless)All rights reservedCast and creditsWritten by Carol ShieldsThe Stone DiariesDaisy – Liza RossYoung Daisy – Barbara BarnesMercy/Beans/Victoria – Teresa GallagherCuyler – Peter MarinkerYoung Cuyler/Lewis – Ryan McCluskeyClarentine – Briony GlasscoBarker – William HopeMagnus/Mr Sinclair – Ewan HooperAbram – Chris PavloDoctor – Ewan BaileyFraidy – Debora WestonMrs Hoad – Buffy DavisHarold – Walter LewisNewswoman – Denica FairmanMrs Donaldson – Nancy GalrAlice – Laurel LefkowYoung Alice – Courtney HalgrenWarren – Kyle DaddYoung Warren – Daniel AnthonyJoan – Vicki SimonYoung Joan – Josi Kook-ClarkBeverly – Joanne McQuinnJay – Garrick HagonPinky – Rick BlandYoung Victoria – Andrea MullerBetty – Georgina SowerbyJoan – Sarah MennellGlad – Pat StarrLily – Marcia WarrenMyrtle – Margaret RobertsonRev Rick – John SchwabDr Aaronfield – Rick BlandJubilee – Sarah PaulDramatised by Claire Luckham and Briony GlasscoDirected by David Hunter and Marion NancarrowUnlessReta – Barbara BarnesNorah – Laurel LefkowNatalie – Vicki SimonDanielle – Sara KestelmanTom – Rick BlandChris/Sylvia/Emma/Christine – Teresa GallagherGwen/Lois/Volunteer – Liza RossYoung Norah – Josephine Kook-ClarkArthur – Ryan McCluskeyDramatised by Deborah LevyProduced by Di Speirs© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd