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  • A Hundred Pieces of Me

  • By: Lucy Dillon
  • Narrated by: Juanita McMahon
  • Length: 17 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,556 ratings)
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A Hundred Pieces of Me cover art

A Hundred Pieces of Me

By: Lucy Dillon
Narrated by: Juanita McMahon
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Editor reviews

Gina Bellamy has had a difficult period in her life, and needs to begin afresh. She resolves to cut down on her material possessions, deciding to hold on to only one hundred objects – but how to choose? Facing the future is difficult enough without letting go of everything kept from the past. A bittersweet and heart-warming novel by Cumbrian author Lucy Dillon, A Hundred Pieces of Me is delighting listeners from all over. Narrated by Juanita McMahon, the audiobook has received high praise from listeners and critics alike. It is available for download from Audible.

Summary

Winner of the Romantic Novelists' Association. 

Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, 2015.

As heart wrenching and life-affirming as One Day or Me Before You, A Hundred Pieces of Me is a story about what it means to finally live life to the full.

Letters from the only man she's ever truly loved. A keepsake of the father she never really knew. A blue glass vase that catches the light on a grey day.

Gina Bellamy is starting again, after a few years she'd rather forget. But the belongings she's treasured for so long don't seem to fit who she is now. So Gina makes a resolution. She'll keep just a hundred special items - the rest can go. But that means coming to terms with her past and learning to embrace the future, whatever it might bring....

©2014 Lucy Dillon (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Such a brilliant book. So satisfying and clever and deeply moving. I'll be passing it on to all my friends." (Sophie Kinsella)

"Bittersweet, lovely and ultimately redemptive; the kind of book that makes you want to live your own life better." (Jojo Moyes)

"This vibrant and uplifting novel has not only entertained me hugely, but made me change the way I look at life." (Katie Fforde)

What listeners say about A Hundred Pieces of Me

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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 gorgeous gorgeous book!

Any additional comments?

Review: oh what a gorgeous book. I haven't actually read anything by this author before, despite having a couple of her novels sitting on my shelves but I was recommended this book so many times by other bloggers and other authors that I knew I had to pick it up. I ended up listening to this on audiobook and found myself making excuses to listen at any opportunity it was so compelling and I needed to find out what was going to happen next. It was one of those novels that I really struggled to describe to someone as I was reading it, but I love something like that that doesn't conform to a particular mould or form!

First of all let me rave about Gina because she is such a special character. She has been knocked down again and again and again. She has been in an unhappy marriage, she has a difficult relationship with her mother she is struggling to buck against the stereotype that she has of a survivor and yet that is exactly what she is, a survivor. Someone who makes the very best of herself, by herself, she accepts help from others and yet does things by herself and for herself, she had decided to make herself happy, something which more of us should definitely be trying to do, be happy for ourselves by ourselves!

Her best friend, Naomi is also an amazingly strong female and is a pillar of strength for Gina even if she doesn't realise it. She is written as the kind of best friend that all of us would want to have, just a little bit more outgoing and more straight talking that your average girly girl! Gina's ex is, of course, a character we kind of love to hate, but you also feel sympathy for him and I think Gina did too. Her relationship with her mother develops over the course of the novel and there is a very interesting couple that Gina works with, developing their house and gaining more than just a couple of business clients!

The storyline jumps back and forth between present day and flashbacks to Gina's past but it is so well-written that you never feel confused as to what era you are in. The writing is truly beautiful, full of wonderful descriptive phrases and by the end of the book, i felt as if the house she was developing was actually mine! There's a gorgeous dog for you to fall in love with as well and whilst reading about him, I felt I could actually see him sitting in front of me and see the pain in his eyes-aww!

This is truly a novel to help you appreciate what you have and make you evaluate whether the material possessions in your life are anywhere near as important as the relationships that you have. This book is far from a downer though, it is full of moments of pure joy and will motivate you to seize the day, so to speak. This is a unique book and something which everyone should make space in their reading piles for!

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51 people found this helpful

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

Be warned!

This was a good story, well read. It is however, a story about a woman who has experienced cancer and the after effect on her life (no plot spoiler here). The story dwells on this and goes into detail. I wish I had known this before I listened to it, as it was much too personal and uncomfortable for me to listen to yet and had the story precis mentioned this theme, I would have avoided it. It is a tough listen at times and just as you think nothing else bad can possibly happen to Gina -it does! Don't listen to this story if you are feeling a bit down. If, as I really hope it is for you, merely of academic interest, then go ahead and enjoy the characters and unfolding story. Just be warned that if you have experienced diagnosis and treatment, it may be too hard to listen to comfortably.
Unlike other listeners, I found the constant hopping backwards and forwards in time a little confusing. I did however, clear out my wardrobe and now want a Greyhound!!

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45 people found this helpful

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

Uplifting and life affirming

This is the first Lucy Dillon book I have read or listened to and without doubt it is my favourite listen of the year so far. I loved the characters, the story, the narration and could not stop listening. It is an intelligent chick lit book, mostly free of the cliches that so many chick lit authors use. It is beautifully written and ultimately life affirming.

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32 people found this helpful

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

Perfection!

Would you listen to A Hundred Pieces of Me again? Why?

Yes, I already have, twice now and what amazed me was I wanted to hear it for a second time straight away! It is a wonderful book, my favourite from Audible so far. It is very gentle and calm and is an excellent illustration of how one can cope actually quite well even though one's world has been turned upside down.

What other book might you compare A Hundred Pieces of Me to, and why?

I can't compare this to any other book. It's a stand alone piece of work.

What about Juanita McMahon’s performance did you like?

The narrator was the perfect choice for this story. She has a lovely deep, warm tone that makes you hang on to her every word. The pace for this story is spot on, not rushed but just gently flowing. Every word is important to Juanita, and she makes everyday objects seem so rich and important.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My overall emotional reaction to this book was one of 'inner peace'. This might sound a bit 'flaky' or 'hippy', but it really did emit a sense of calm and an 'at one with the world' feeling. I couldn't wait to get to bed just so I could turn on my bedside player and melt away!

Any additional comments?

This book will leave you with a happy, warm glow every time you listen to it.

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14 people found this helpful

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

tedious chick lit

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

different story, different narrator. Wish I could have back the time I spent listening to this.

What will your next listen be?

Something more interesting and intelligent than this dull book.

Would you be willing to try another one of Juanita McMahon’s performances?

The narrator was fine but her voice was wrong for this book. Should've been a much younger sounding woman. McMahon also made the 56 year old mother sound 86.

Any additional comments?

I chose this book because of the good reviews and it was categorised alongside authors such as JoJo Moyes however it really is not to my taste. But that is the joy of reading and listening. You can't love every book and each listen is a mini adventure whether that be a good one or bad.

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13 people found this helpful

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

Loved it!

Where does A Hundred Pieces of Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I found this totally addictive. I loved the way the story unfolded and hooked me in. Definitely a 'page turner' (or the audible equivalent!)

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how the rescue greyhound was portrayed, and how it highlighted what fantastic easy go, affectionate companions they make!

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8 people found this helpful

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

A lovely book - probably a tad long

What did you like best about A Hundred Pieces of Me? What did you like least?

This book had a really good premise and I enjoyed the story but I do think it dragged a little towards the end. I also found the main character's clinging to an obsession from a teenage years a little hard to believe in given all she had been through since and that it's easy these days to trace people from your past. However I wouldn't want that to put people off listening to this - there is a lot going on!

What does Juanita McMahon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I really enjoy Juanita McMahon's narration and would probably download a book based on this - she is very good at voices which helps you imagine the characters.

Did A Hundred Pieces of Me inspire you to do anything?

Embarrassingly yes! I had a good clear out of my wardrobe.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Wonderful

What did you like most about A Hundred Pieces of Me?

The premise of the story, which is essentially about living in the moment and relishing each moment.

What did you like best about this story?

Skilled storytelling and a superb narrator.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When the greyhound creeps into her room for the first time.

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

Learning to let go.

Any additional comments?

I found the book very engrossing.

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6 people found this helpful

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

One of the very best books I've listened to

A beautiful book, sensitive and insightful, wonderfully well read. Sorry when it ended really! A very credible plot, thoroughly enjoyable.

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5 people found this helpful

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

It was bad !

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A good story. Believable male characters. Not full of illness. Better writing. Some surprises.

What was most disappointing about Lucy Dillon’s story?

The whole thing. Every step totally obvious. References to secrets and what might happen - rubbish. All totally clear what would happen.

Have you listened to any of Juanita McMahon’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No. She did well. Good male voices and no mispronounced words (rare these days)

What character would you cut from A Hundred Pieces of Me?

The mother - totally over written.
The ex boyfriend - wet.
Home owner - she had no character at all.

Any additional comments?

It was really rubbish. I had high hopes for the idea of keeping 100 special things but it was so boring and dull. If I had not been listening in the car I would have chucked it in after chapter 6.

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4 people found this helpful