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A Terrible Kindness
- Narrated by: David Dawson
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
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A Terrible Kindness
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Summary
*INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*
*AN OBSERVER DEBUT OF 2022*
*AS FEATURED ON FRONT ROW*
When we go through something impossible, someone, or something, will help us, if we let them . . .
It is October 1966 and William Lavery is having the night of his life at his first black-tie do. But, as the evening unfolds, news hits of a landslide at a coal mine. It has buried a school: Aberfan. William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer, and it will be one he never forgets. His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to forget. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because - as William discovers - giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves.
Biography: Jo Browning Wroe grew up in a crematorium in Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and is now Creative Writing Supervisor at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Her debut novel, A Terrible Kindness, was shortlisted for the Bridport Peggy Chapman-Andrews award. She has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in Cambridge.
Critic reviews
"It's a long time since I've read a debut novel that moved me so much." (Rachel Joyce)
"Extraordinary." (Sophie Hannah)
"A brave and tender novel." (Joanna Glen)
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What listeners say about A Terrible Kindness
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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- miss a c wykes
- 21-02-22
Just lovely
Brilliant narration. Brilliant characters you feel like you can reach out and touch. Atmospheric. Suprising. Original.
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4 people found this helpful
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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
- Jill
- 17-06-23
Absolutely wonderful
One of the best books I have had from audible. Fabulous narration and captivating story. So different from anything I have read before, all the characters were believable and the narrator got each one perfectly. I felt like I knew each and every one. After reading other’s reviews I thought it was all about the Aberfan disaster, but it wasnt what I expected, obviously the story pivots around this, but there is so much more and it is written in a deep and considerate way winding Williams life and story around each character beautifully. I didn’t want it to end!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Caroline
- 22-08-22
Can't imagine a better book
This is the first review I've written, despite having been an avid Audible fan for many years.
A Terrible Kindness is without doubt my favourite listen ever. I shudder to think I was nearly put off by my ignorance (I knew of the Aberfan tragedy but was born shortly after) or by my fear that it would be a depressing storyline.
The book provides a sympathetic insight into Aberfan; and appreciation, without melancholy or grisly detail, of the work of embalmers. But it is chiefly an enchanting tale of a number of people – their struggles, bravery and kindness. It's complex but easy to follow, with unpretentious words combined to give a perfectly captivating experience. All this delivered by a brilliant narrator – flawless accents, understanding, pace and emphasis.
I can't wait for further books written by Jo Browning Wroe or narrated by David Dawson.
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1 person found this helpful
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 02-09-22
Lovely book
Despite the sad event that the book is set around I really enjoyed this book. Thank you clever author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vicky
- 10-09-22
Story writing at its best. Gentle but packs a 👊🏻
I absolutely loved the writing in this book. My family originate in Sutton Coldfield, I grew up knowing all about Abervan with family involvement in the legal aftermath, my father was passionate about classical music and choral music in particular. The story of this young man and his journey coming to terms with the events of his life, has lessons for all of us. Sometimes our memories are not what they seem. Read this book. It is amazing. I have read it 3 times to date. 10/10
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sara Heap
- 26-06-22
Couldn't put it down
Some grim bits, but essentially a story which will make your heart sing. Mine did.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs K T Mardle
- 07-02-23
Wonderful story
Not what I was expecting but highly recommend this well written book and it's heart warming story around a boy growing up at boarding school.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Louise Rogers
- 02-02-23
Really wonderful
I loved this story so much. A topic not really covered much in books but this one managed to handle it beautifully. I was quite emotional at the end!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Helen SJ
- 16-06-23
I loved this book.
Although the subject matter is terribly sad, the whole of the book knits together so perfectly. Out of such sadness, such wonderful kindness can come.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Victoria
- 21-06-23
Such a great book
I loved this book! The characters are great, the way it’s written captures the imagination.
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