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The Life Impossible

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens
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Summary

The remarkable new Sunday Times bestselling novel from the author of the international sensation The Midnight Library

‘A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination' BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH


'What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet . . .'

When retired Maths teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the Balearics Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.
©2024 Matt Haig (P)2024 Canongate Books Ltd
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Critic reviews

Stunning. It's not only exquisitely written but has so much magic woven through it (Fearne Cotton)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Matt Haig, the wonder, is back (Lemn Sissay)

What listeners say about The Life Impossible

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Okay

I don't feel this was one of Matt Haig's best.
Or, to be fair to the author, not one of my personal favourites.

I liked the concept of the story, however the telling of it seemed to let it down.
I'm left wondering if I would have enjoyed it more, if I had read it rather than had it read to me.

I don't know.
This one simply didn't reel me in.

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Joanna Lumley reading it . I would not have finished it otherwise

Not t my genre. I adored the Midnight libary . well written but not for me . if Joanna Lumbly was not reading it , I would have stopped half way .

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  • Overall
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A slow burner

Took a while but eventually it turned into a pleasant listen. Very well read by joanna lummley.

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joanna Lumley's reading

great production all together. really enjoyed the story and the subject. the reading was done quite well. very enjoyable and hard to put down

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Another Matt Haig Original

I love this story as I love mostly everything Matt Haig writes. He has a brilliant imagination and is a superb storyteller.

Also great performance by the readers

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Loved this audio book!

I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much without the narration of Joanne Lumley. She was a perfect choice and seemed to make it so believable

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    3 out of 5 stars
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narration can make or break an audible book...

I don't normally leave reviews because I wouldn't want to put someone off reading a book BUT with an audible book, the narrator is really important and I, personally, don't think Joanna Lumley was the right pick for this book...

Good storyline but I've stopped listening...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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More than a novel. An uplifting, life changing, love letter to life

I was lucky enough to discover this just as I was going into hospital for surgery. Joanna
Lumley’s beautiful voice and the wonderful inspiring story kept me going through a very difficult time. I’m immensely grateful to Matt Haig for this beautiful gem of a novel. I feel I’ve been bathed in the light of “La Prezencia”. It will remain I’m sure one of my favourite books of all time.

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What a life affirming story

Perfectly narrated by Joanna Lumley. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket or tasting honey. It was as fantastical as a child’s imagination but with a grown up subtext. I felt many emotions and shed a few tears. Wonderful book.

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Matilda for Adults

Another poignant Matt Haig novel filled with a life affirming blend of emotional truth, delicate sci fi and whimsy. It gave me the same feeling I had from reading Matilda as a kid.

I appreciated the choice to anchor this story in with a woman in her seventies. Haig has such a knack for getting to the core of his protagonists' sadness in ways that makes them feel relatable, whatever your personal demographic difference. Somehow that connection then takes you on a journey of healing, wonderment and

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