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The Danish Girl

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About this listen

Loosely inspired by a true story, this tender portrait of marriage asks: what do you do when the person you love has to change?

It starts with a question, a simple favour asked by a wife of her husband while both are painting in their studio, setting off a transformation neither can anticipate.

Uniting fact and fiction into an original romantic vision, The Danish Girl eloquently portrays the unique intimacy that defines every marriage and the remarkable story of Lili Elbe, a pioneer in transgender history, and the woman torn between loyalty to her marriage and her own ambitions and desires.

The Danish Girl is an evocative and deeply moving novel about one of the most passionate and unusual love stories of the 20th century. Now a major motion picture starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, directed by Tom Hooper.

©2000 David Ebershoff (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Marriage Biography Heartfelt Denmark
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Unusual book, not my normal read at all, jumps around a lot chronologically speaking so you need to keep up. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending though.

Interesting and different story

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I found some parallels with The Passion of the New Eve, which was strange x

Not bad!

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If you could sum up The Danish Girl in three words, what would they be?

Evocative. Hopeful. Relevant.
Even though this asks for three words, I have to write at least 15 in the box, so I'll tell you why!
The writing is beautifully evocative - the imagery was wonderful, capturing Greta's days in sunny California and Einar's childhood on a Danish bog.
Although it's very sad in places, it's an uplifting book, full of hope. It shows the best parts of human relationships, even when they're hard and unusual and strained.
Although the story is almost 100 years old, it's still just as relevant today - even this week a celebrity has apologised for their insensitive tweet about Caitlyn Jenner.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Danish Girl?

All the kites, signalling change about to come.

What about Joe Jameson’s performance did you like?

I cannot overstate how good his performance was. He shifted between characters' voices easily, bringing the story to life, and was really pleasant to listen to - quiet and thoughtful, and well-suited to the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I found it easy to pick up from where I'd left off after a day or two's break, and listening in chunks made it last a couple of weeks which feels like more of a treat (to me) than bingeing it all in one go.

Any additional comments?

I know the book fictionalised many of the characters, whereas the film followed the true story more closely. I think because I loved the book so much, I'm probably not going to want to watch the film.

Just beautiful

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I was expecting more insight, both in emotion and detail, about the transition from male to female.

Did The Danish Girl inspire you to do anything?

No!

Any additional comments?

Would not recommend this book, perhaps the film is better?

Not as good as expected!

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Narrator does a fantastic job, really need to see the film now! Highly recommend this audio book.

Excellent narration, loved the story.

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