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  • Shtum

  • By: Jem Lester
  • Narrated by: David Thorpe
  • Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (285 ratings)
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Shtum cover art

Shtum

By: Jem Lester
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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Summary

Ben Jewell has hit a breaking point. His 10-year-old son, Jonah, has severe autism, and Ben and his wife, Emma, are struggling to cope.

When Ben and Emma fake a separation - a strategic decision to further Jonah's case in an upcoming tribunal - Ben and Jonah move in with Georg, Ben's elderly father. In a small house in North London, three generations of men - one who can't talk, two who won't - are thrown together.

As Ben battles single fatherhood, a string of well-meaning social workers and his own demons, he learns some difficult home truths. Jonah, blissful in his innocence, becomes the prism through which all the complicated strands of personal identity, family history and misunderstanding are finally untangled.

Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, The Shock of the Fall and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

©2016 Jem Lester (P)2016 Orion Publishing Group

What listeners say about Shtum

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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

A truly wonderful honest book.

I absolutely loved this book, excellent read it is honest heartwarming and insightful. The main character may have Autism but the story is about a family and there dynamics xx

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Autism Explained, Watts and All!

This story has the Best 'Description' of Autism I have read a far.
There were also many interesting characters in this book, and so many stories being told; nothing was just plain black or white.
I would love to know what happens to all the characters in say, 10 years' time. A moving story, told from the heart.
My only minor quibble: the narrator pauses between sentences a wee bit too long for my liking. Otherwise, excellent narration, and great character voices.
I will be listening to it again in the future, and thoroughly recommend this book - even if you are not interested in the autism aspect, but enjoy reading about strong, but flawed characters, fighting against heavy odds.

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

Heartbreaking reality of autism

Raw, emotive, realistic and at times so heartbreaking.
This book is a must for anyone parenting or working with children with ASD, and a real eye opener for those who know nothing about about it.

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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

Brilliantly read sad and funny story.

To bring off both a laugh out loud and a tear jerker in one book is very rare. The narration was outstanding sounding as though the author himself was telling the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Magically written.

As a father of an autistic child (not as severe as Jonah) I found the story both moving and hilarious.
Congratulations to Jem on representing real autism. No card counting or any other "super power".

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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

Multi-dimensional - I loved it

The story is unflinching; characters are strong and well-rounded. The narrator lends texture and interest in an un-showy way.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent and honest book - really enjoyed reading it!

Downloaded this from the audible website. Have a particular interest in the subject as work with a lot of families who are caring for a child or young person with ASD. I found it to be an honest and fair account of what many of the carers share with me - particularly the traumatic experiences of having to fight for the best educational/social provision for your child and the impact of caring for a child with a disability has on the family dynamics. I thought that the separate storyline about Jonah's grandfather's experience during the Second World War and his own brother with autism was excellent, relevant and very moving.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really recommend it. I can't believe it's been out for ages and I only discovered it this month!

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

Good story but struggled with narration

The story is more about the father than the son- a good story but the father is sorry for himself most of the time, and while the narrator captures this well, it is hard to listen to whining for very long. I think that this is one book I would have preferred to read!

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

Brilliant!

An incredible insight into a world often underestimated, with a lighthearted middle. Very enjoyable and highly recommend.

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

Finished it in one sitting!

This is a really great story, so well written and beautifully narrated. I loved everything about it, and as the sister of a 'jonah' I particularly enjoyed the honesty, humor and sense of connection gained, connection to the author and his characters, but also a new perspective of my own families struggles. I think the book will have a special connection for many but even if you don't know anything about autism read it anyway, it's a story about fathers and sons and love as much as anything and it's a great first novel. Beautiful, congratulations Jem, I hope the book gains the success it deserves! Thank you! X

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1 person found this helpful