Abstract

Sophie Townsend’s Goodbye to All This from BBC World Service is an audio documentary about Townsend’s experience of losing her husband, Russell, to cancer. Beginning with Russell’s diagnosis in the first episode, listeners follow Townsend through his treatment and death, then through the years as she adapts to life without him. The carefully constructed series focuses on Townsend’s personal narrative while situating her within her community. At the same time, the memoir’s precise storytelling and gentle, rhythmic sound design give structure to the podcast’s poignant expression of loss.

Keywords: audio documentary, podcast, grief, narrative, community, BBC

How to Cite:

Euritt, A., (2021) “Goodbye to All This: The Ordinary Rhythm of Loss”, RadioDoc Review 7(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.14453/rdr.82