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  • Narrow Margins

  • By: Marie Browne
  • Narrated by: Lucy Scott
  • Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (91 ratings)

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Narrow Margins

By: Marie Browne
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
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Summary

Narrow Margins is the true story of one family's journey from the financial crash of the Rover car company to an alternative and better lifestyle. Faced with the loss of everything - the house, the cars, and more importantly, their rather lazy and indolent lifestyle - Marie Browne and her family took on the challenge of a whole new way of life.

Strapped for cash, the family buy a decrepit 70ft barge called Happy Go Lucky which had been run as a floating hotel. Outdated and in need of a complete refurbishment, Happy becomes their floating home. First they need to learn the ropes and many pitfalls beset their adventures. As they come to terms with living on a narrow boat, listeners gain a fascinating insight into life in the slow lane.

Marie Browne is a gently harassed mother of three who, for the past 15 years, has been desperately trying to escape the Customer Service Industry. Apart from her husband and kids, the best things in her life are real ale; barbecues; ugly mad dogs that nobody else wants and cream-covered designer coffees. She also has an obsession with shoes, but her husband is threatening to get her help for that.

©2009 Marie Browne (P)2012 Audible Ltd
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What listeners say about Narrow Margins

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Makes you wonder

Quite a good story. Although there are times you can be frustrated at the whole family.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fabulous

I loved every minute of this heartwarming, funny and honest account of life afloat. Me and my husband are considering living on a narrowboat, this wonderful book has done nothing to dampen our spirits or change our minds!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

If you could sum up Narrow Margins in three words, what would they be?

Captivating funny, colourful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Narrow Margins?

Getting stuck on the mud banks!

What about Lucy Scott’s performance did you like?

Easy going , interesting.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Immerse yourself in the journey, follow the ups and downs of a fascinating family life.

Any additional comments?

I just loved this book, having had many holidays on the canals and waterways with family and animals, I felt every moment, it brought back many happy memories and I understood every emotion they went through . More please!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this audible book.

Very entertaining and enjoyable. The narrator is very good and I liked the way she read the book which kept my interest all the way through. It was funny and interesting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Don't listen if you need a wee

laugh laugh pain more laughs. a must for parents of small children and people who want to experience life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoughraly Enjoyable

Great story that takes you on their journey with them. Having previously enjoyed two long boat holidays, I could relate to some of their experiences, which made the story all the more lifelike to listen to. Great narration too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Easy listening

I thought the narrator was very good, brought the book to life. Good easy listening.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

boat of my dreams

Absolutely fan. Loved it!!!! Can't think of a better way to spend my time than listening to this book

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Life aboard

Having 'listened" to Marie Brownes account of life aboard and as a Narrowboater myself I couldn't help but sympathise and smirk over similar experiences. I found the narrator Lucy Scott rather off putting, but all in all not a bad book

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

I enjoyed listening to this story, but during the course of listening found it to be a little repetitive at times, as well as a little predictable (presumably for comic effect).

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1 person found this helpful