totally different

I would never have read this but caught opening of the film so looked for the book.
an absorbing journey (not on a train though), fascinating characters and learnt something of Portuguese history.

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It makes you think 🧐

This is a novel which makes you listen in fascination but makes you suddenly realise to reflect on your own life too !

There are lots of deep and good thoughts in the story and I will have an effect on how you suddenly look at your own life too !

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A place we could all journey to

One of the most immersive books I have ever listened to. I had to re listen to chapters to be sure I had not missed a thing

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Brilliant

Existentialism for the 21st century. Superb philosophical writing beautifully narrated. However this is a novel that must be read and not just heard.

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You'll love it or hate it

This is a book the reader will either love or despise. It never sets out even vaguely to be an action-packed page turner, so look elsewhere if that's what you want. It does sustain and push the reader on but only if approached in the right way.

Above all this is a gentle and beguiling reflection on the emotional struggles of life for those who are introspective, sharply analytical and deep-thinking. Like the subject itself it gives no answers, no conclusions and remains open-ended - just as it should to be true to its subject matter.

Readers of that disposition should find this a satisfying journey, giving voice to this type if person?s restless absorption with meaning and value. Mercier hangs these themes like prisoners within the banality of human choices made and choices squandered or rejected.

There is a great charm in the novel despite its brutally honest depiction of human fallibility and life?s futility, and it somehow manages to reaffirm rather than depress. A great book if that?s what you want!

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11 people found this helpful

A book about loads.

I enjoyed this book. It is for me a story about a family and centred on a genius son and brother, Amadeu de Pradu. It is told by a strange but brilliant teacher who had a strange experience on a bridge one morning while walking to work. It sends him on journey to Lisbon. It is beautifully read with just enough work on the different characters' accents to draw you in to the performance. Perhaps the best thing about this novel which has many layers is what I learned about the recent history of Portugal and it's struggle for democracy, and post-war resistance movement.

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1 person found this helpful

such a great read

Beautify narrated. and very melodic . could easily listen to time and again. highly recommend

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I'd give a ZERO star if there was the option

Warning! only read this book if you have many, many hours to waste on the most boring thing ever written, otherwise please stay away. I'd have found more enjoyable reading the label of a tinned tomato sauce.

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1 person found this helpful

Hate It!

Never was a more boring story committed to paper. I've no idea how they could have thought it would make a good listen.

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2 people found this helpful

Too slow and introspective for me

This book is about an introspective, selfish geeky character that rambles through the latter part of his life. I found it depressing and dull, so I gave up well before the end, something I rarely do with an audiobook.

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1 person found this helpful