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Michael Ignatieff's book is a profound and inspiring exploration of the language of consolation.

It's told through a series of portraits of historical, literary and artistic figures.

Omnibus of five essays abridged by Penny Leicester.

Read by William Hope.

1. THE VOICE IN THE WHIRLWIND
Job and the Psalms offer the earliest lessons in consolation.

2. CICERO’S TEARS
What is Cicero to do when personal tragedy strikes and his philosophy of stoicism fails to console?

3. THE PAINTING OF TIME
A glorious depiction of Paradise painted by El Greco in 16th century Spain.

4. THE BODY’S WISDOM: Michel de Montaigne's Last Essays In 16th century France.
The writer finds solace in the human body.

5. THE GOOD DEATH
The hospice movement pioneer, Cicely Saunders, puts compassion at the heart of her life's work.

‘On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times’, first published in 2021.

Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician.

He taught at some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 became the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna.

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 in February 2022.

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