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Sometimes you get surprised when you listen to a audiobook (or read a book). And the best kind of surprises is when the book turns out so much better than expected. And sometimes you can’t even tell exactly what moved you - except the book just grew on you while reading/listening, and when it ended you still keeps thinking about the book.
Boundaries by Jane Retzig is a book like that. I expected a great romance, but That I didn’t get, instead I got SO much more. This is a book that will stay in my mind for the next long time - still wondering what happened and what made it impossible for me to explain what happened inside me. It was like when I read Saint-Exupérys “The little Prince” og Richard Bachs “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” for the first time too. I can’t explain it, I won’t even try. All I will say about this book is: It’s a big gem in an oyster

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Multi-layered brilliance

Would you listen to Boundaries: A Lesbian Romance again? Why?

Definitely! On the surface this is an easy book to read. It's easy to read quickly because it is so engaging and well-written. But to do so misses a lot of the subtleties and subtext that contribute this to being such a good book. I'm all for a May/December romance and from the outset yes this is a lesbian romance and yes some aspects are unusual and at times disconcerting. But the author trickles background information to the characters throughout the book, keeping salient factors back which explain so much. I also loved the setting, timewise and location, ah! for nostalgia!, and this was enhanced by the narration and Jan Cramer's accents.

What does Jan Cramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Jan Cramer's narration simply brings the characters to life and enhances the subtleties of the narrative. I will definitely look out for her other narrations in this genre.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh certainly a fair amount of angst, uncertainty, and laughing out loud at others. Reflective too of how a happy childhood is sadly not a given for everyone, but how some can turn adversary on its head and achieve in spite of it. It's a very well constructed read that manages to do all that and yet sustains interest until the end.

Any additional comments?

If you want a quick lighthearted read this book may do that for you. But it's also a much more layered read and it's real. Love is love at the end of the day and very few relationships are actually "conventional" supposedly stereotypical.

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2 people found this helpful

Whatever you do today, make time ...

..... to read this.

If life has dealt you some pretty difficult choices, this read offers hope. Yes, it’s fiction I know. But life without hope is bleak.

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Enjoyable Lesbian Romance

I loved this audiobook. It's sweet, very moving and beautifully narrated by Jan Cramer.

Jane Retzig's writing is understated and the story has some very dark and possibly controversial themes. The book however is very cleverly written.

The book is mainly set in industrial West Yorkshire in 1979/80, and the author often uses literary, musical and political references as a kind of descriptive shorthand to evoke the period and place. This worked perfectly for me, though I wonder if some of this could be lost on younger listeners.

The central characters are all sympathetic (even Sharon, who does her best not to be) and some parts of the book are very funny.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and I love all the works of this talented author.

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1 person found this helpful

A Gripping Read!

What did you like most about Boundaries: A Lesbian Romance?

The story starts in 1979 and the following period is captured wonderfully. If you lived through it it will ring true and if you didn't it will give you a glimpse into the very different atmosphere of our recent history. The storyline is gripping. It has plenty of tension and some challenging dilemmas, but also a sense of hope for the future.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I can't decide between Jan and Elizabeth. The story is told from alternate points of view and this is really effective. Their thought processes are utterly believable, even when you're frustrated with their actions at times.

Have you listened to any of Jan Cramer’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to this narrator before, but I'll pay her the highest compliment I can. I forgot it was a narration and listened to the characters in my head.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it has the emotional range of real life. At different times I felt tense, sad, frustrated, amused and happy, but mostly I shared the longing of Jan and Elizabeth.

Any additional comments?

I received a gift copy from the author with no strings attached. What a treat!

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1 person found this helpful

Great

Love shouldn't have any boundaries and age is just a number, good ending. Well written and well narrated. Humorous in parts, sad in others.

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2 people found this helpful

Really Good

The narrative is really good, and the rhythm of the audio speaker is really good the pace is not anooying. I hope theres a second book to see what happens with Elizabeth and Jen.

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A very unusual love story.

I've never read a love story like this. It's about a relationship between an older woman and a much younger one. The story is firmly grounded in reality and feels very real. It's in first person and the viewpoint switches between the two women easily.
It's nice, romantic, well-written, and well-narrated. It‘s an all around good read.

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3 people found this helpful

Realistic. sad, happy, gritty. Everything you want

This story grips you. it reaches into your mind and soul. You feel and experience the ups and downs and want to know everything about the characters and what they are feeling and experiencing. Great story!

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Just awful

I really full story, with no characters. Really not worth listening to. Narration was tragic. Could not finish.

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