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Summary
Bloomsbury presents The Offing by Benjamin Myers, read by Ralph Ineson.
A BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick
A BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime
An Observer Pick for 2019
One summer following the Second World War, Robert Appleyard sets out on foot from his Durham village. Sixteen and the son of a coal miner, he makes his way across the northern countryside until he reaches the former smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay. There he meets Dulcie, an eccentric, worldly, older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage facing out to sea.
Staying with Dulcie, Robert’s life opens into one of rich food, sea swimming, sunburn and poetry. The two come from different worlds, yet as the summer months pass, they form an unlikely friendship that will profoundly alter their futures.
Critic reviews
"It’s a poignant story, and Myers’ descriptions of the countryside are wonderful." (Mail on Sunday)
"What a radical thing, these days, to have written a book so full of warmth and kindness...Gorgeous." (Max Porter, author of Lanny)
"This is a poetic book with a winning generosity of spirit, moving from a folksy celebration of the rural north to a revelation of the broader horizons that can come from reading and some serious culture." (Sunday Times)
Featured article: embracing the British seaside this summer? Here’s 10 listens for your travels
Whether you’re visiting Brighton, Blackpool, or the Outer Hebrides, here’s a title for every trip. It’s a selection as varied as our beloved British coast, with laughs, thrills, and romance to accompany you on what’s (hopefully) a sunny summer holiday.
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What listeners say about The Offing
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kate Shepherd
- 17-01-20
Amazing. Loved every moment of this book.
Onto the next Ben Myers book. Got them all stacked up ready. He's absolutely brilliant.
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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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- Lori
- 27-03-21
Wonderful listen.
At the start I was not sure but once I got into the story I was hooked. Dulcie is wonderful and entertaining, the story is full of warmth and kindness. A reminder that a chance meeting has the potential to change your view of yourself and the future, just like Robert. The narrator, Ralph Ineson was perfect.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Hugh M. Clarke
- 05-02-22
Generosity and Diversity
This is a wonderful story, about an eccentric and very generous elderly woman (Dulcie). It is also about her friendship with a 16-year-old man (Robert), who, one summer, just happened to wander down her lane when he was walking in the North East of England. He wasn’t intending to stay, but is captivated by Dulcie’s generosity and refreshing approach to life and ends up having permanent lodgings there.
Benjamin Myers writes beautifully. Poetry is part of the narrative but it is also part of the style. He captures the atmosphere of a bygone era. Both has characters are very convincing, to the extent that I initially mistook the book as Memoir.
Ralph Ineson’s narration brings the book and it’s characters to life. His deep bass tones are ideal for the period (post Second World War).
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- smlin
- 20-11-23
Self indulgent descriptive prose
There is a good short story struggling to get out of the torrent of verbiage that compromises this book. Any novel that takes 8 chapters to get to the pith of the story is in dire need of pruning
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mary K
- 15-02-21
A good read
A most memorable read which often brings a smile to your face and leaves you wanting more
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jennifer Olive McIlquham Martin
- 13-04-20
Post war set novel enchanting Ralph Ineson wonderf
a captivating distraction from the news you'll be hungry reading this longing for the sea
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- ann
- 05-06-22
The Offing
Thank you for writing a truly beautiful book .At the age of seventy seven and an avid reader,I cannot say how wonderful it was to be transported and lost in this beautiful story ! As an audible book the narrator was so adept at drawing the listener into this odd duo of opposites and allowing us to be part of this gentle evolving relationship! It will be a book I will return to !
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- Yvonne Delacy
- 22-06-22
Superb writing.
Thoroughly beautiful ! I’m off to find more of Mr Benjamin Myers. Such poetic writing, setting the scene just after the 2nd World War in a time I can just remember, painting the story in and around Yorkshire. Also Ralph being an actor with his deep and melodic voice added no end to the description and brought Benjamins’ words to life!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John W Ward
- 25-03-24
Listened in one sitting.
Such a great book. I simply couldn’t stop listening. Great narration which brought the story to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- jacqui
- 01-09-20
Loved This Book - Sad when it ended
When I first began to listen, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book. However, I soon discovered that I Loved it...and devoured it in two or three sessions. We hear Robert going from an unsure and anxious 16 year old to a mature and then much older man.
Everyone needs a 'D....' in their life ... irreverant. funny and abundant in her generosity. I really did not want this book to end.
The narrator is excellent too. A good use of 1 credit.
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8 people found this helpful