Not brilliant but good

I so admire Louise Doughty for her novel The Apple Tree Yard (an absolutely flawless novel) I felt I had to listen to this one even though not all the reviews were that glowing. It was well written and had its very surprising moments. I could not identify with or understand how the main character dealt with the killer of her child. I found it revolting and I’m not easily shocked.
I didn’t find it a memorable story and most of it is depressing. Still, I will read everything that the author writes in the future.

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Disappointing

Firstly the narrator has a flat tone that is quite monotonous after a short while. I know she’s (the character Laura) depressed but you can convey that without depressing your listeners. I kept thinking it was going to get better, but it didn’t. I bought it because I’d enjoyed Apple Tree Yard but this one doesn’t even compare. It’s just depressing, the characters are very one sided. And very unlikeable, except for the children.

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Brilliant writing

Louise Doughty's use of language and reflective tone shines through in this soul searching novel. It captures the debilitating nature of sudden loss and grief within a mystery. It unravels slowly and tand drifts into different time zones by way of explanation of events and character traits.

In my opinion,there appeared to be no big reveal which I had been anticipating although the twist was intensely shocking.

The voice the narrator used for Laura,the key character,which I think was her own authentic voice, just droned on. She sounded like a sixth former sight reading a text.This performance did nothing to enhance the text. Her other character voices. In particular the male voices worked well, but as Laura's flat narration dominates the novel it rather spoiled it for me.

I think if this was read by a different performer, such as Juliet Stevenson,, who voiced Apple Tree Yard,, this audible novel would have been more memorable. It is a credit to Doughty's text that her language shone through ,despite the flhe lack lustre narration..

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1 person found this helpful

Exceptional

Incredible story. Beautifully narrated - I was literally gripped from the first word until the last

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4 people found this helpful

Absolutely Stunning

This was one of those rare books that come along maybe once a year that have everything nailed, the narration, the story and it's all relatable.

A book about the complexity of love, sex , loyalty in al it's crudeness, I am. so gutted I've come to the end, I binged it over a 24 hour period.

You won't regret this book, I promise.

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Excellent plot

The perfect story for an audiobook - engaging and suspenseful from beginning to end. Great delivery from the narrator

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Narration let it down

Book was moving at times, drap at others but the monotone narration really made it boring for me. If I read the book myself rather than listen to the audio I might have enjoyed it more.

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Compelling

I don’t normally listen to this genre, but, from the word go I was hooked. The narration was perfectly performed and added so much to the story. Hooked on both author and narrator 👍🏻

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3 people found this helpful

Powerful

Whatever You Love by Louise Doughty is a heart-wrenching story and powerful in its audio format. The novel plunges listeners into a raw and emotional journey of grief, revenge, and acceptance. The protagonist, Laura, is devastated by the sudden loss of her nine-year-old daughter, Betty, in a hit-and-run accident. As she spirals into grief, she discovers layers of secrets that shatter her world even further.

Doughty's narration, paired with a gripping audio performance, captures the intense emotions and nuanced characters perfectly. The story's twist—a sting in its tail—keeps you on edge till the very end, making it a truly unforgettable experience. A must-listen for those who appreciate deeply emotional and suspenseful tales.

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Thoughtful and moving account of grief

This is a well written thoughtful book. It is not a psychological thriller but a portrayal of extreme grief at the loss of a child and what lengths a mother will go to avenge her death. I enjoyed all aspects of this book including the characterization all the main characters well beautifully defined and as a listener, I had empathy for them and their actions. The book moves at a good steady pace and the description of the events before put into context what happens as a result of the death and are handled sensitively. I also like the narrator's style and felt it perfectly matched the story.

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6 people found this helpful