The Stone Diaries & Unless

Two novels by the award-winning Canadian writer Carol Shields, dramatised for BBC Radio Carol 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 Trust First published 1993 (The Stone Diaries) and 2002 (Unless) All rights reserved Cast and credits Written by Carol Shields The Stone Diaries Daisy – Liza Ross Young Daisy – Barbara Barnes Mercy/Beans/Victoria – Teresa Gallagher Cuyler – Peter Marinker Young Cuyler/Lewis – Ryan McCluskey Clarentine – Briony Glassco Barker – William Hope Magnus/Mr Sinclair – Ewan Hooper Abram – Chris Pavlo Doctor – Ewan Bailey Fraidy – Debora Weston Mrs Hoad – Buffy Davis Harold – Walter Lewis Newswoman – Denica Fairman Mrs Donaldson – Nancy Galr Alice – Laurel Lefkow Young Alice – Courtney Halgren Warren – Kyle Dadd Young Warren – Daniel Anthony Joan – Vicki Simon Young Joan – Josi Kook-Clark Beverly – Joanne McQuinn Jay – Garrick Hagon Pinky – Rick Bland Young Victoria – Andrea Muller Betty – Georgina Sowerby Joan – Sarah Mennell Glad – Pat Starr Lily – Marcia Warren Myrtle – Margaret Robertson Rev Rick – John Schwab Dr Aaronfield – Rick Bland Jubilee – Sarah Paul Dramatised by Claire Luckham and Briony Glassco Directed by David Hunter and Marion Nancarrow Unless Reta – Barbara Barnes Norah – Laurel Lefkow Natalie – Vicki Simon Danielle – Sara Kestelman Tom – Rick Bland Chris/Sylvia/Emma/Christine – Teresa Gallagher Gwen/Lois/Volunteer – Liza Ross Young Norah – Josephine Kook-Clark Arthur – Ryan McCluskey Dramatised by Deborah Levy Produced by Di Speirs © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd