Episode 1

Andrea Levy 's award-winning novel exploring empire, prejudice, war and love in Jamaica, England, America and India.

The story of the Windrush Generation and the part they played in the Second World War and the prejudice they faced from the Mother Country are a little known aspect of recent British History.

Small Island tells the story of four people caught up in this past; Hortense, Gilbert, Queenie and Bernard.

Hortense's childhood is affected by the stigma of illegitimacy.

In her young adult years, she meets and falls in love with her cousin Michael.

Omnibus of the first five of fifteen parts dramatised by Pat Cumper.

Hortense ........ Nadine Marshall
Michael ........ Javone Prince
Young Hortense ........ Tyra McKenzie-Gray
Young Michael ........ Joel Davis
Mr Philip ........ Burt Caesar
Miss Ma ........ Adjoa Andoh
Miss Jewel ........ Dona Croll
Queenie ........ Lyndsey Marshal
Gilbert ........ Don Gilet
Mrs Ryder ........ Barbara Barnes
Celia ........ Carla Henry
Miss Morgan ........ Elizabeth Bell
Celia's Mother ........ Tanya Moodie
Douglas ........ Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
Airman ........ Pethrow Gooden
Mrs Anderson ........ Clare Perkins
Mr Anderson ........ Declan Wilson
Minister ........ Delroy Brown

Music by Felix Cross

Director: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.