good listen

Liked the story shame about the ending especially as there is no follow up as the story was left hanging. Would have loved to find out how Adele's life works out in the end

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My

It was a good story but a bit depressing at times Ended a bit abruptly

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Not a patch on Lullaby

This was a stilted and quite uncomfortable read. Unlike Lullaby that I really enjoyed and felt it was a real life story, this was like the author wanted to make as much money as possible and do a Fifty Shades of Grey type of reading!

I could not feel any empathy with the main character, in fact I really disliked her and thought she was controlling arrogant selfish woman.
All in all mediocre.

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Tricky to review!

I was engaged throughout although didn’t understand Adele - repelled and fascinated at same time. Disappointed by the end as I thought it would explain some of the “why” or redemption but fear Adele is in the abyss. Don’t agree with other reviewers that say this is about women of today - much too extreme. I suppose wanting an explanation or rounded off ending (even if not a good one) is old fashioned of me!

I thought Finty Williams read it very well.

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Adele wants more...

and so did I. Lost a lot of interest in Adele about 2/3 of the way in. In a way this book is genius because it perfectly evoked the feeling of monotonous misery, claustrophobia and frustration lived by the protagonist day in and day out but not sure that makes for a good read. Also from time to time I found myself wondering about the translation eg 'She had the impression that...' rather than 'she felt like...' I'm sure the translation is faithful and excellent but that I started thinking about it shows I was not totally absorbed in the story.

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Not for me

The subject area is interesting but this story didn’t do it for me. I found the character of Adele one-dimensional and the ending was unsatisfying. I thought Lullaby was a better, more compelling read.

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Interesting book poor choice of reader

The reader was not convincing as the central character..instead giving the impression that she did not believe anything.

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Hypnotic

I’m glad I wasn’t swayed by the negative reviews, as I ended up loving this. It’s a character study of a desperate woman, so it’s not a plot driven thriller like Lullaby, however I was captivated throughout, fascinated and repulsed by Adele in equal measure

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Potential to be bold and compelling...

But a bit boring. After readying lullaby, I was expecting a slow burner but this failed to intrigue even in the ending.

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Dark, empty, brilliant

This is my kind of book. Adèle and her husband are brilliantly drawn and the desperation of their relationship is brutally real. Adèle behaves terribly, yet you still feel sympathy for the deeply troubled woman who wants to simulataneously be free and belong, yet finds no joy in either. I found her story spoke to so many aspects of what it means to be a woman and a mother in modern times, capturing beautifully many complexities. The way the voice shifted from Adèle to Richard in the latter part of the novel was brilliant. The book exposes some disturbing truths and will not uplift or offer any answers, but paints pictures with truly elegant brushstrokes.

Narrated perfectly also.

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