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A Terrible Kindness

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A Terrible Kindness

By: Jo Browning Wroe
Narrated by: David Dawson
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About this listen

*INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

*AN OBSERVER DEBUT OF 2022*

*AS FEATURED ON FRONT ROW*

When we go through something impossible, someone, or something, will help us, if we let them . . .

It is October 1966 and William Lavery is having the night of his life at his first black-tie do. But, as the evening unfolds, news hits of a landslide at a coal mine. It has buried a school: Aberfan. William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer, and it will be one he never forgets. His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to forget. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because - as William discovers - giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves.

Biography: Jo Browning Wroe grew up in a crematorium in Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and is now Creative Writing Supervisor at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Her debut novel, A Terrible Kindness, was shortlisted for the Bridport Peggy Chapman-Andrews award. She has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in Cambridge.

©2022 Jo Browning Wroe (P)2022 Faber Audio Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Tear-jerking Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"It's a long time since I've read a debut novel that moved me so much." (Rachel Joyce)

"Extraordinary." (Sophie Hannah)

"A brave and tender novel." (Joanna Glen)
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A story based on the recent tragedy at Aberfan but written from a very unusual viewpoint. Not for the faint hearted the detailed descriptions of embalming are graphic mixed with great tenderness. Heart rending a box of tissues is needed but the characters have such warmth and kindness. The beautiful descriptions show us the resilience of the human spirit and concludes on a positive joyful note. The narrator is perfect.

Beautifully written

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Don’t be put off by the subject matter. This novel is a little gem. Covers many topics - family disagreements, love, death, ptsd, grief, homelessness, and how with kindness some people make this world a better place.

What a superb book

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This is the first review I've written, despite having been an avid Audible fan for many years.
A Terrible Kindness is without doubt my favourite listen ever. I shudder to think I was nearly put off by my ignorance (I knew of the Aberfan tragedy but was born shortly after) or by my fear that it would be a depressing storyline.
The book provides a sympathetic insight into Aberfan; and appreciation, without melancholy or grisly detail, of the work of embalmers. But it is chiefly an enchanting tale of a number of people – their struggles, bravery and kindness. It's complex but easy to follow, with unpretentious words combined to give a perfectly captivating experience. All this delivered by a brilliant narrator – flawless accents, understanding, pace and emphasis.
I can't wait for further books written by Jo Browning Wroe or narrated by David Dawson.

Can't imagine a better book

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I really enjoyed this… an unusual storyline and beautifully read. I can’t understand the accusatory reviews… there is nothing remotely exploitative about the story, just a touching account of some very moving experiences and how they impact on the lives of many people. I can remember the Aberfan disaster happening, and this has caused me to reflect again on the lives that were lost, and those that were impacted, on that fateful day. But there is more… the power of friendship, of music, of all kinds of love. It’s a beautiful novel and it will stay with me for a long time.

Delightful, moving, touching

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Not the type of book I would normally choose to read but it was our book club selection. very emotional very well written and narrated.

One of the best books I've had a on Audible

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