‘The problem with Rhidian’s Thoughts is how often I find myself agreeing with him. Most annoying!’ John Humphrys Why bother with God? Do you know what matters in life? What are the limits of kindness? Why doesn’t God intervene? What are you worth? For twenty years, bestselling novelist Rhidian Brook has pondered such questions on Radio 4's Thought for the Day, encouraging, nudging, sometimes provoking millions into thinking about the possibility of a God who is intimately and cosmically involved in the human story. Over 100 of his Thoughts are presented here, forming a kind of alternative history of the 21st century, and inviting us to reflect on the deeper spiritual dimensions of our lives and times. ‘This earthy disturber of breakfasts subverts and provokes with Thoughts that last much longer than a day.’ Roy Jenkins ‘I hate celebrities, Harry Potter, musicals, and Thought for the Day . Unless Rhidian Brook is on.’ Philip Kerr ‘A great collection from a wise and humane thinker and writer.’ Victoria Hislop ‘Profound, entertaining, wise and funny – this is a masterclass in the genre. Bishop Nick Baines ‘Gems on every page. Take your time so you can reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.’ Professor Laurie McGuire
Author
Rhidian Brook (born 1964) is a novelist, screenwriter and broadcaster. His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (Harper Collins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman (Harper Collins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath, was published in April 2013 by Penguin UK, Knopf US and a further 18 publishers around the world. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Short Story. His first commission for television - Mr Harvey Lights A Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He is adapting The Aftermath as a feature for Scott Free and BBC Film. He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family’s journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007. He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4’s "Thought For The Day" for more than twelve years. He lives with his wife and two children in London.
