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Absolutely and Forever
- Narrated by: Jane McDowell
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
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Absolutely and Forever
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
A piercing story of thwarted love and true friendship from one of our greatest living writers
Marianne Clifford, 15, only child of a peppery army colonel and his vain wife, Lal, falls helplessly and absolutely for Simon Hurst, 18, whose cleverness and physical beauty suggest that he will go forward into a successful and monied future, helped on by doting parents. But fate intervenes. Simon's plans are blown off course, and Marianne is forced to bury her dreams of a future together.
Narrating her own story, characterising herself as ignorant and unworthy, Marianne's telling use of irony and smart thinking gradually suggest to us that she has underestimated her own worth. We begin to believe that - in the end, supported by her courageous Scottish friend, Petronella - she will find the life she never stops craving. But what we can't envisage is that beneath his blithe exterior, Simon Hurst has been nursing a secret which will alter everything.
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What listeners say about Absolutely and Forever
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-03-24
Original and charming
A quite unique writing style. Evocative of an era I can barely remember. Showing great insight into the plight of unrequited love. The narrator read beautifully and was perfect in the role. I was sad when it finished and wanted more. Always the sign of a good book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Miss H.
- 27-02-24
The narration was very flat.
I think the reader may have been trying to represent the narrator/heroine’s style, but she sounded often like an AI voice. A shame, as it’s a rather beautiful book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-12-23
Biba
Liked the way the characters behaved against type. Liked the 50s vibe. Liked the length. Very succinct. Liked women’s pov. No dislikes
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annelise Goodsir
- 18-01-24
Superb
Absolutely loved this wonderful evocative book, felt sad when it ended. Beautifully written as ever by Rose Tremain!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Christine
- 07-01-24
A little stuffy
I found this story a touch too sentimental. I got bored at the end. I normally like Rose Tremain but this is not her best.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 28-12-23
Heart-stopping
Firstly the narrator was perfect for the story. Secondly it was vivid and engrossing and took me back to my own youth and lost love in a way that resonated so much with my feelings. The detail was extraordinary. The ending a triumph. A skilled and engaging writer. I believed every word.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-03-24
Passionate
Reading was a bit robotic but the story is moving and a worthwhile short listen about love, heartbreak and human nature.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- debbieg
- 02-11-23
What a disappointment
What a little depressing book. Surprised that such a wonderful writer could waste her talent on such a moribund tale. And unforgivable to put 1966/67 fashions in 1963! The 60s world changed fast but 1963 still hung onto the 50s - and so did Marianne, the selfish self centred protagonist of this tale, born totally without empathy. I had no sympathy for her what so ever and hated the havoc she caused in the lives of people who cared for her. A protagonist without any redeeming features isn’t my sort of book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laura K.
- 10-03-24
Excellent book
Brilliantly written and read, clever and considered use of language. Insightful and witty character exploration and portrayal
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Cooking Mama
- 12-04-24
Bit dull
Tbh I found the narrator very dull & ‘erstwhile’. Or maybe it was how the character and storyline was meant to be. Not one I will be recommending sadly.
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