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Our Little Cruelties cover art

Our Little Cruelties

By: Liz Nugent
Narrated by: Sam O'Mahony, Stephen Hogan, Paul Hickey, Dermot Crowley, Mary-Lou McCarthy
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.   

Three brothers are at the funeral. One lies in the coffin.  

Will, Brian and Luke grow up competing for their mother's love, but she is unable and unwilling to love all of them.  

As adults, the competition continues. One brother always has what another one wants - status, money, success, a woman, the love of a child, his mother's attention. 

But maybe there's a chance to even things up. Perhaps with one brother gone there would be more to go around.  

Which will it be?

©2019 Liz Nugent (P)2019 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about Our Little Cruelties

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best ever from Liz Nugent - deliciously gripping!

I really loved all of Liz Nugent's books but this has to be my favourite! So excellently crafted as wheels within wheels twist and turn to reveal the truth of what went on as these three brothers grew up to become men in this intriguing portrait of an Irish family from the 70's to the present day.
I felt like I was invited in, sat down in the good chair and given a cup of tea while events unfolded such was the authenticity and atmosphere created by superb writing.
I adored the way all the brothers got a turn to give their oversight and insight into the events and the reveals were thrilling, humorous and poignant in equal measures.
The narration was excellent overall but I did prefer some brothers to others and as expected there was a dark surprise in store to delight and devastate which you will never see coming;
I consider it excellent timing that "Our Little Cruelties" was just released when we were all told to stay at home as this book is like a giant warm Irish hug with just the hint of nails digging into your back. Genius!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Read, but Lacks Depth.

A story about three unlikable (and mutually dis-liking), self-serving brothers. About one third of the story is narrated by each of the brothers in turn over a long period covering 1976 to 2019. Interestingly, the years are delivered to us at random, so gaps in the story are gradually filled in as we wait to hear which brother died.

The plot involves show business, exploitation of women, the #metoo movement, and a generally dysfunctional Irish family.

I was gripped by the story, right from the start. The writing was wonderful and generated clear mental images of what was going on. The ending left me a bit flat though. Following the year-by-year build-up I'd come to expect more from the ending than was actually delivered. There was a reasonable twist at the end I suppose. Generally the story needed more depth and meaning. I've listened to all of Liz Nugent's books, she's a great writer but not quite good enough for 5 stars this time.

I didn't understand the significance of the English voice at the ends of chapters 13 and 27.

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5 people found this helpful

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Another absolute corker!

I never fail to fall in love with Nugent's books and I wasn't disappointed this time around. A tale of 3 brothers, narrated in turn and starting with a funeral...but whose? The story jumps around in time and we get to see each brother's perspective on the situations they orchestrate. Another binge listen for me- believable but abominable characters, intrigue and a brilliant twist right at the very end. Amazing!!

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4 people found this helpful

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Excellent reading. Loved the narrator's .

Both the author and narrator's of this book had me going to bed early every night so I could listen to a story with twists. ..and perhaps many families have their own secrets to tell. My first book by Liz Nugent...my next read will be one of her others. Thanks..

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Did not enjoy story.
No like able characters.
Not a patch on her other books.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Her best yet

Liz has out done herself this time. A deliciously cruel and twisted tale. 5 stars.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely superb

I’m completely delighted to have discovered Liz Nugent. I’m an author and audio fan, yet her books are new to me and in two weeks I’ve devoured two (plus several other novels) and hers have both been totally my cup of tea. Intelligent, witty, believable and gripping. That’s what I want from a novel and she delivers all this and more. Listen, learn and love, like me. You won’t regret it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant, dark and thrilling to the end.

Dark and brilliant novel. This is one of the best novels I have listened to. Brilliant performances you will fly through it

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A Hugh disappointed

Got as far as ch 10 and disliked the characters more and more, had enough and thought no more for me. Not into soaps and that's what it felt like. A long soap bringing out the worst in people.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another absolutely stunning book!

Could not stop listening. So gripping, right from the start. Highly recommend all of Liz Nugent’s books

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1 person found this helpful