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The Glutton
- Narrated by: Philippe Spall
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
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The Glutton
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Summary
Sister Perpetue is not to move. She is not to fall asleep. She is to sit, keeping guard over the patient’s room. She has heard the stories of his hunger, which defy belief: that he has eaten all manner of creatures and objects. A child even, if the rumours are to be believed. But it is hard to believe that this slender, frail man is the one they once called The Great Tarare, The Glutton of Lyon.
Before, he was just Tarare. Well-meaning and hopelessly curious, born into a world of brawling and sweet cider, to a bereaved mother and a life of slender means. When a sudden act of violence sees Tarare cast out and left for dead, his ferocious appetite is ignited.
Following Tarare as he travels from the South of France to Paris and beyond, through the heart of the Revolution, The Glutton is an electric, heart-stopping journey into a world of tumult, upheaval and depravity, wherein the hunger of one peasant is matched only by the insatiable demands of the people of France.
2024, Dylan Thomas Prize, Short-listed
2024, Royal Society of Literature Encore Award, Short-listed
WARNING: CONTAINS VIOLENT AND GRAPHIC CONTENT AND STRONG LANGUAGE
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Critic reviews
'A sensory assault fit to slap any reader awake with its gorgeous glut of baroque prose and wise, poised lessons on life, pleasure, class, desire, and love.' (Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars)
'An audacious and humane study of desire, pain and tenderness.' (Keiran Goddard, author of Hourglass)
What listeners say about The Glutton
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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-10-23
A captivating tale, wonderfully delivered
This is a compelling story, one in which I found myself feeling overwhelming sympathy for the monster at its core. As such, it provokes a mix of emotions in the reader/listener. It is beautifully read and delivered, and provides some interesting historical context. Nothing short of a masterpiece in my humble opinion.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kim Simpson
- 10-10-23
Couldn't stop listening
Utterly compelling, heartbreaking and disgusting in equal measure. this novel renders Revolutionary France in all its grisly detail, with a brilliant cast of characters and a really complex character at its heart. who will stay with me for a long time. The prose is like a meal itself, absolutely beautifully written with such attention to the senses. It isn't for the faint-hearted - there were moments that genuinely made me feel sick, and the climax is horrifying - but I feel a bit bereft now it's finished and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-12-23
Outstanding
One of the finest pieces of writing I can remember. And the reading is so fantastic. Completely brings the already vivid writing to full life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anna
- 17-10-23
Brilliant writing, very interesting story
The writing is outstanding and captivating. The author gives a glimpse of an interesting social history of the French Revolution through a small cast of characters. Tarare is no hero or particularly sympathetic character, but it's the themes of nature, survival, power and disgust which are fascinating. I only wish it could have been longer.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-07-24
Compelling
Beautifully written, the graphic gluttony scenes made me wince but the story drew me in. There's revulsion and compassion in equal parts; a story I didn't want to hear but a book I really wanted to finish.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 05-02-24
Brilliant
One of the best audiobooks if not the best have listened to. Beautifully written and delivered.
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