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A History of Loneliness
- Narrated by: Owen McDonnell
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
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A History of Loneliness
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Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Odran Yates enters Clonliffe Seminary in 1972 after his mother informs him that he has a vocation to the priesthood. He goes in full of ambition and hope, dedicated to his studies and keen to make friends.
Forty years later, Odran’s devotion has been challenged by the revelations that have shattered the Irish people’s faith in the church. He has seen friends stand trial, colleagues jailed, the lives of young parishioners destroyed and has become nervous of venturing out in public for fear of disapproving stares and insulting remarks.
But when a family tragedy opens wounds from his past, he is forced to confront the demons that have raged within a once respected institution and recognise his own complicity in their propagation.
It has taken John Boyne 15 years and 12 novels to write about his home country of Ireland, but he has done so now in his most powerful novel to date, a novel about blind dogma and moral courage and about the dark places where the two can meet. At once courageous and intensely personal, A History of Loneliness confirms Boyne as one of the most searching chroniclers of his generation.
What listeners say about A History of Loneliness
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 31-12-2023
Brilliant in every respect
The truth about the Catholic and the unflinching honesty of the author Donal Ryan. The reading was superlative - brilliantly read, brilliantly written. I cannot praise it highly enough.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Glenn Waterer
- 08-05-2024
This book was totally unexpected
The voice actor brought this book to life for me. Lulled by his lilting tones and accent only to be slapped around the face with some event or profound thought. I was driving to work listening to the final chapters, in tears and feeling suffocated by the sadness and devastation expressed by Father Yates. An amazing narrative on the church and it's influence. highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- busby
- 23-10-2024
Painfully brilliant
I live John Boyne’s novels and this is a compelling, excoriating mea culpa for a great tragedy. It is beautifully, perfectly read and a very fine novel.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Hardwicke
- 24-05-2023
Challenging - but brilliant.
It seems wrong to say I loved the book - because the content and subject matter are challenging. As someone from a Irish-Catholic background, it is easy to relate to the narrative and the pressures both religious and national - but at the same time, question how such horrors could have occurred. Beautifully narrated, the book follows the journey of one man and his dilemmas as a priest and his ultimate perception of value and worth in society. Second book that I have read by this author and equally as engaging. Well worth the read/ listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer
- 01-06-2023
Brilliantly heartbreaking
A story that needed to be told. So many lives tragically broken by people in positions of power and trust. Beautifully written and performed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-06-2024
Exceptional story
An unputdownable story and so beautifully read. I laughed I cried I reflected….I am totally a John Boyne fan his writing is rich with characters that are authentic and believable. It’s hard for me to turn to another author at the moment because his stories have so much depth and honesty that I experience each time I read another of his work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kapurne
- 02-11-2024
Heartbreaking
Deeply uncomfortable but to stop would be to look away. We owe it to every child never ever to do this.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 18-02-2023
Brilliant but so tragic!
John Boyne at his brilliant best.
Owen McDonnell’s narration exceptional.
The story was powerful, sad with many human emotions. I couldn’t put it down and it’s up there with my top listens/reads.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lindy Banks
- 30-05-2024
A very good book
I really enjoyed both the thoughtful story and the narration. Will look for more from this author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-01-2024
A message of warning
This story hit me hard. Themes of pedophelia, influence of Catholic Church and their ultimate dominance. I’m glad I listened to it. Storyline was clear and the performance brilliant. I hope we learn from history
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