The Girl of the Sea of Cortez

By Peter Benchley
Adapted for radio by Anita Sullivan

First broadcast BBC Radio 4 – 08/12/24

A coming-of age ecological fable from the author of “Jaws”. A Mexican girl fights family and tradition to protect the marine habitat she loves.

Teenage Paloma lost her father, Juanjo, in a sea-storm. Her mother, Miranda, is afraid she’ll lose the girl to the sea too. But Juanjo taught Paloma to freedive and showed her a secret seamount none of the fishermen know about – a pillar of volcanic rock rising from the deep ocean, a teeming tower-block of habitats.

Paloma’s brother, José, wants to make quick money, leave for the city and become a mechanic. The seamount could be his ticket to a new life, and he’ll stop at nothing to get his way.

Anita Sullivan has written 30+ radio dramas and is a winner of the prestigious Tinniswood Award. Her other award-winning adaptations include An Angel at My Table and Shadowbahn.

Paloma ….. Jamila Hache
Miranda ….. Raquel Cassidy
José ….. Óscar Camacho
Juanjo ….. Armando Rey
Azul ….. Carlos Alfredo Jr.
Manolo ….. Braulio Hernández

Other characters are played by Sergia Sánchez and Alejandra Gollas

Sound design by Adam Woodhams

Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson

An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4