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When the Night Comes
- Narrated by: Marta Dusseldorp, Ben Winspear
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
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When the Night Comes
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Publisher's Summary
From the award-winning author of Past the Shallows, Favel Parrett, a story about the moments that change us and the moments that save us.
Long-listed for the Miles Franklin Literary Award 2015. Short-listed for the Australian Book Industry Awards 2015, the Indie Books Awards 2015, ALS Gold Medal 2015 and the ABA's Booksellers' Choice Award 2015.
Running away from the mainland was supposed to make their lives better. But for Isla and her brother, their mother's sadness and the cold, damp greyness of Hobart's stone streets seeps into everything. Then, one morning, Isla sees a red ship. That colour lights her day. And when a sailor from the ship befriends her mother, he shares his stories with them all - of Antarctica, his home in Denmark and life onboard. Like the snow-white petrels that survive in the harshest coldest place, this lonely girl at the bottom of the world will learn that it is possible to go anywhere, be anything. But she will also find out that it is just as easy to lose it all. For Isla, those two long summers will change everything.
Favel Parrett delivers an evocative and gently told story about the power fear and kindness have to change lives.
Critic Reviews
"This book is that rare thing, a finely crafted literary novel that is genuinely moving and full of heart." ( The Age on Past the Shallows)
"The gentle power of the narrative carries the conviction of strongly embedded personal experiences.... This book has the same poetic cadences and a simple sophistication of expression that makes it eminently readable. This is an evocative story elegantly told that will have special appeal to those who are seafarers, real or imaginary." ( Sunday Tasmanian)
"If you read only one book this year make sure it's this." ( Sunday Times, Tasmania on Past the Shallows)
"Beautiful, stripped-back prose...there is magic here. Like Cormac McCarthy, Parrett packs a huge emotional punch thanks to the elegant brevity of her style. Stark, but unforgettable...." ( Marie Claire on Past the Shallows)
"Parrett's writing is exquisite in its simplicity and eloquence, and her narrative is heart-rending." ( Kirkus Reviews on Past the Shallows)
" When the Night Comes combines the realism of early David Malouf with the sombre concision of Dorothy Porter, and is skilfully shaped to make the historical feel truly present." ( Books+Publishing)
"Parrett's starkly precise evocation of Tasmania's winter landscape [is] compelling. The book's tragic outcome leaves the reader feeling genuinely bereft...." ( The Guardian on Past the Shallows)
What listeners say about When the Night Comes
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Maria
- 16-11-2019
good story, but it had me confused for a bit!
** I am reviewing the audio copy of this book.**
This book had me a bit confused at first.
It’s kind of written in snippets. They sometimes seemed to be out of order or random. I even checked if the audio book was reading in the write order.
Once i realised that this was the way the book was meant to be, i got the hang of it.
Things were explained as i went along.
I loved the description of life on the Nella Dan. The way they described her as she like she had a life of her own was also very interesting. The end was so sad.
I also liked reading about Ila and her brother’s life. I don’t think we ever learn his name.
Also watching how Beau kind of became a father figure to Ila and her brother. How Ila ended up following in his footsteps.
Parts of the book left me feeling sad, and we’re never told why things didn’t work out for Beaux to be able to stay with the little family in Hobart.
The narration although a little quiet in some parts was top notch. I like the multiple narrators for the different points of view.
All in all a good read. I would read more from this author in the future.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Melissa Radcliffe
- 18-05-2021
Beautiful writing but no depth
I wanted more... I nearly gave up thinking it was too hard to connect with the characters or the story. I thought the ending would be worth it. But sadly, no. It just drifted off into the vague Tasmanian fog.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-09-2023
Something is missing
This book is beautifully narrated by Dusseldorp and Winspear. I found the story a little difficult to follow and expected to know more about Isla and her family.
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