Speechless

OMG, I loved it, blew my mind, couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended this story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Great narrator

The narration makes this wonderful story even better. It is a perfect match. Gorgeous lyrical writing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

The Milkman

Well read but far too repetitive! Needs a good editor to shorten it by a third. Almost gave up at the beginning because the style was annoying! However the story was saved by the narrator!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Breaks so many rules of writing craft, but works!

I don't wish to go into detail on the various "rules" I referred to in the subject header (if it's important to you, then please listen and learn). But I listened to this with admiration - all the while thinking that various aspects of writing craft went against the general wisdom. Despite the story being a little slow in places, this worked superbly, drawing the listener into a world that thankfully we don't live in - at least not anymore. It amazes me that anyone survived that episode in NI history.

The narrator was great, combining the advent with all the right nuances. well done.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

loved loved loved

Cant wait to listen to the next one started straight away. I have never been to Russia but now I want to go

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

More than Maybe McMaybe

This is one of those books which seems that it may be far more accessible in an audio version.
Brid Brennan narrates deftly, enabling the listener to more effectively contextualise the social and cultural happenings.
Burns provides a unique window into the psycho-political situation that most of her readers may never personally experience, with a wincing portrayal of tribalism that seems surreal - yet real.
While the style of writing is refreshingly different, and it takes a small amount of time to adjust to the narrative style - it is very much worth pushing through the initial head-tilt thoughts about the style.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb

Loved the performance. Gripping book. Lots of humour as well as important themes about the way men and a community can impinge upon a woman. Loved the characters of ‘wee sisters’ too. Absolutely superb to listen to.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

outstanding in all respects

the novel is created in a unique form which captures the spirit of a society in distress from civil strfe. no-one has a name- you - individuality doesnt count, conforming to the norms is desirable unless you want to attract unwanted attention, you don't try to get what you desire to avoid the grief when you lose it. surviving as yourself under this regime is a skill.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Disappointing

Difficult to follow at times especially when the narrator speaks too quickly and ignores punctuation

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Inside the head of an Irish teenager.

I loved this book. I took a little while to adjust to Anna Burns's main characters unusual way of referring to people, places, and things eg. Maybe Boy Friend, First Sister, The Wrong Religion, the land over the water etc but once I’d warmed to that I thoroughly loved this quirky story of the world view of a teenager trapped into a stubborn silence by the judgement and presumptions of her family, peers and community. A fabulous psychological and social insight into life in Ireland during the troubles.Cant recommend highly enough.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!