Home / Series / The Read / Aired Order / Season 2 / Episode 1

A Kestrel for a Knave

Christopher Eccleston narrates Barry Hines's heartbreaking coming-of-age tale in this fresh take on a classic British novel. It's the story of teenager Billy Casper, whose life can be described as bleak. Bullied at home and at school, he finds solace in a love of falconry. He devours books to help him learn how to rear a young hawk, which becomes a distraction from the challenges of life at home with his mum and brother Jed. But a miscalculation while running an errand for his brother has drastic consequences for his new-found hobby.

English
  • Originally Aired September 17, 2023
  • Runtime 65 minutes
  • Network BBC Four
  • Created September 17, 2023 by
    richdruitt
  • Modified September 17, 2023 by
    richdruitt