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A Boy in the Water
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Tom Gregory
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
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A Boy in the Water
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Summary
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of A Boy in the Water, written and read by Tom Gregory.
Eltham, South London. 1984: the hot fug of the swimming pool and the slow splashing of a boy learning to swim but not yet wanting to take his foot off the bottom. Fast-forward four years. Photographers and family wait on the shingle beach as a boy in a bright orange hat and grease-smeared goggles swims the last few metres from France to England. He has been in the water for 12 agonising hours, encouraged at each stroke by his coach, John Bullet, who has become a second father.
This is the story of a remarkable friendship between a coach and a boy, and a love letter to the intensity and freedom of childhood.
Critic reviews
"Written beautifully through the eyes of a child yet to enter his teens, A Boy in the Water resonated strongly taking me back to my own childhood. A fascinating story full of innocence, achievement, ambition and trust." (Ellen MacArthur)
"I am absolutely in awe; a mindblowing and phenomenal feat. A Boy in the Water will challenge ideas of what is possible." (Chrissie Wellington OBE)
"Reading this and it's extraordinary. The challenge and the exhilaration of open water swimming brilliantly evoked. A really different and interesting read." (Clare Balding)
What listeners say about A Boy in the Water
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- Bogdan Zurbagiu
- 18-12-18
fantastic
loved it. the story is unique, it has adventure & real life drama. great reading from the author. rich in information for channel swim crossing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- The Whites
- 24-01-19
A beautiful book
A wonderfully honest book, that I totally enjoyed. I’ve sent it to my friend and bought a copy for my mum.
One of the best little audiobooks I’ve listened to in a long time. I thought it both inspiring and emotional.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- andrew
- 30-01-19
Atta boy
The story is epic and yet heartwarming. The author’s narration puts a lot of professional readers to shame. Superb. I was right there with you..brrr.
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- Simon H.
- 03-09-18
wonderfull
Downloaded the audible version so my mum (who's eyesight isnt great) could listen and, as the author narrated decided to have a listen myself and just could not put it down.
Amazing story, not just the swimming but it conjures up the 80's so perfectly
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- E. Bagnall
- 22-01-21
Such an incredible story
Whether you like swimming or not, whether you’re intrigued or enraptured by open water swimming or not, this is an incredible story. Children were allowed to be treated differently in the 80s. Life was a little less “politically correct”. This story is an insight into the benefits of the trust and freedom that we’re legacy of the time. A very good read.
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- R. Kitching
- 03-11-18
Enjoyed immensely
Thought this book would be about a boy swimming across the channel but it so much more than that. It’s about community, trust, determination, the characters of the club and how one man brought it all together. Inspirational and emotional. Very much enjoyed
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- Mr D Lewis
- 16-04-21
Great book
Great book and what an achievement at such a young age. A record that will stand for ever.
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- B
- 16-09-18
Marvellous
A beautifully told piece, Perfectly depicting how it was to participate in Sport in the 80s where everyone seemed thicker skinned, had respect for their coaches and ambition was nurtured.
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- Anonymous User
- 07-06-19
Moving true story! unexpected twist at the end.
would recommend this to others. touching and truthful. give it a go. something a bit different.
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- jeffroQ
- 09-09-18
Fantastic Book
I bought this after hearing Tom being interviewed on the radio just before the release.
As a 50 something former competitive swimmer (pool) I can identify with many of the experiences referenced here.
The dedication of the coaches and even the type of person John was is an echo for me of my own experience growing up in a swim club environment.
It is a real trip down memory lane as well as a reminder that we have lost something from a simpler time. We now live in a risk averse fear lead society. It is unlikely John would have been allowed to coach now. Working time regulations would have prevented the long hours, his DBS check would not have liked the fact he had gaps in his past, and a self taught coach - oh no I don't think so.
A fantastic book that I will be recommending to everyone I know from the old swimming days.
Plus a fitting tribute to a remarkable coach and mentor.
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