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26a cover art

26a

By: Diana Evans
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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Summary

Identical twins Georgia and Bessi live in the loft of 26 Waifer Avenue. Down below, their Nigerian mother puts cayenne pepper on Yorkshire pudding, and their father roams the streets of Neasden, prey to the demons of his Derbyshire upbringing. Forced to create their own identities, the Hunter children build a separate universe. Older sister Bel discovers sex, high heels, and organic hairdressing; the twins prepare for a flapjack empire; and baby sister Kemy learns to moonwalk like Michael Jackson. But when reality comes knocking, the fantasies of childhood start to give way. How will Georgia and Bessi cope in the adult world, and which of them will be stronger?

Wickedly funny and devastatingly moving, 26a is an extraordinary first novel, a successor to Zadie Smith's White Teeth and Monica Ali's Brick Lane. Part fairytale, part nightmare, it moves from the mundane to the magical with flair and imagination.

©2006 Diana Evans (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bittersweet...an alluring blend of fairytales and nightmares." (Daily Mail)

What listeners say about 26a

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

Struggled to get into

Any additional comments?

I've made three attempts to get into this book. I really struggled to connect with the narrative and the characters, or find any interest or enjoyment in the few chapters I read. Despite all the great reviews and an interesting synopsis, which attracted me in the first instance, I'm throwing in the towel.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A story I didn't want to end.

I dutifully started listening to this book to prepare for a summer school but rapidly became totally engaged by the lives of these characters and discovered why twins are so fascinating to storytellers. Twinhood highlights for us the human desire to be our autonomous selves and yet part of someone else. The family has roots in Nigeria and in England and the story magically weaves these two threads together.There are mythic elements in the narrative as well as references to the fortunes of Princess Di which form an echo of what is happening to the twins and their parents and siblings. Fresh writing depicts the every day with both humour and also heart-searing sadness. The narrator had a completely sympathetic voice which, for me, intensely enhanced the story.I didn't want to say good-bye to her voice either.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not for me.

I made myself finish this book. because you cant form a true opinion with only some of the facts. This is just my taste, my opinion. You may love it. I found it disjointed, depressing, and hard to follow. I just couldn't make a connection with any of the characters so I didn't care what happened to them. I found it hard work and only the narrator kept me going.

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not what I was expecting

A real let down. Starts off quite well. Developing several chariots alongside eachother worked well. Half way through I wondered where it was going but stuck with it. The lose ends being tied in the last 2 chapters was very week. I just couldn't connect to where it was trying to go. I will avoid books by the author now. I enjoyed the narration but heard better from the narrator - but that 50% because the boom sucked!

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1 person found this helpful

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

Beautiful

I enjoyed every single moment of this beautifully read magically realistic
story of love and loss.

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

Amazing storytelling

The narrator is just wonderful, she really brought this story and characters to life. I loved the sisters and their relationships and wasn’t expecting the turn at the end, i thoroughly enjoyed the book and am sad it’s finished.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful and sad

I loved this book, I've read it before but really enjoyed it more this time

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

Bitter sweet

Beautifully narrated, sad yet hopeful glimpse of another life. A connection that left me feeling I've missed out.

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

excellent portrayal

Good insight although not in depth of a blend of cultures and coming of age in England.

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

Confused!

I got as far as chapter 4 before giving up. I've got no idea what's going on and I've lost the will to persevere!

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