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The Little Snake

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The Little Snake

By: A.L. Kennedy
Narrated by: A.L. Kennedy
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About this listen

 'Some time ago, perhaps before you were even born, a young girl was walking in her garden. She may have been called Mary – that's what most of the stories say. Mary was a little bit taller than the other girls her age and had brownish crinkly hair. She was quite thin, because she didn't always have exactly enough to eat. She liked honey and whistling and the colour blue and finding out.' This is the story of Mary, a young girl born in a beautiful city full of rose gardens and fluttering kites. When she is still very small, Mary meets Lanmo, a shining golden snake, who becomes her very best friend. The snake visits Mary many times, he sees her city change, become sadder as bombs drop and war creeps in. He sees Mary and her family leave their home, he sees her grow up and he sees her fall in love. But Lanmo knows that the day will come when he can no longer visit Mary, when his destiny will break them apart, and he wonders whether having a friend can possibly be worth the pain of knowing you will lose them.©2016 A. L. Kennedy (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Fantasy Fiction Magical Realism

Critic Reviews

'Kennedy strips her characters emotionally bare.' (The Observer)
'A.L. Kennedy is almost unique among British novelists for her ability to write fiction that is at once challengingly experimental, luminously beautiful and utterly readable. It helps that she is fiercely observant and very funny ... If you want a guide to the rough contradictions of the heart, A.L. Kennedy is your woman.' (The Evening Standard)
'Kennedy is a singular, superlative author.' (The Scotsman)

What listeners say about The Little Snake

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Profile Image for Anne

A Wonderful Unique Fable

A Wonderful Unique Fable in the truest sense of the word. A timeless story reflecting back to us the human condition from a new perspective. It's simplicity is a gateway into it's depth and I loved the author's voice as she embodied these characters.

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1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

delightful

I thoroughly enjoyed this light, delightful story. If only everyone had a little golden snake!

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Profile Image for Tessa Koumoundouros

An adorable fable

This is adorable! Such a delightful fable about kindness, greed and the age old tale of migration that both feels perfect for our times yet is reminiscent of childhood stories. It's timeless and moving like a big comforting hug.

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Profile Image for Blossominoz

Delightful

An amazingly sweet story with wonderful insights into human nature told by a delightful narrator with a lovely lilting voice.

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Profile Image for Martin Castilla

Charming and whimsical - love it!

OK, a 63 year old man is writing this, long past the epoch of reading fairytales to his daughter. Still, I downloaded this book on recommendation of (can't remember who).
And what a magical surprise I received!
It's a wonder-filled story about a wise little girl who meets and befriends a magical snake, who over time bestows gifts & insights on her, as he unwittingly draws some from her. They both grow and become more enlightened in the ways of each others' worlds.
She learns about the world at large and its ways (even though she already has sparkling natural hunches) and he gains insights into the feelings of man, their 'humanity', which magical snakes lack.
We then go on a journey and meet outstanding characters, each as nasty or as loving as is possible to be. And Kennedy's voice brilliantly brings those to life.
I so wish my daughter and step-kids were young so I could read this to them over a few nights. They'd be enchanted, as I was and remain.
I listened to this book while hiking in the Australian bush and felt like I floated the whole time, such was the wonder and happiness this brought me.
I think you'll also enjoy it.

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Profile Image for Wendy Underwood

Innocence

A little bit of magic it inspired the imagination in a childlike way I loved this story

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Profile Image for Magpie.01

Little snake

I loved this little story. It was quirky & strange & pulled me right inside it’s curious world. The author has a wonderful imagination. I recommend it to anyone who likes something different. 5 stars!

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Profile Image for Coljar

For oldies who still believe in miricles!!!

A fun easy listen , to take you back to fairy tales. get it for a fun but a little grimm at times.

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Profile Image for Daylan

Beautiful

Absolutely loved this little story. Reminiscent of a Neil Gaiman story. Somehow a big story and a little one at the same time. This will be one I listen to (and buy the physical version of) a lot in the coming years. Loved it

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Profile Image for asthecrowflies

Superb.

This does what stories must do. It opens your heart and fills it with questions the story refuses to answer but gently leads you towards.

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