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All the Broken Places
- Narrated by: Helen Lloyd, Kristin Atherton
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
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All the Broken Places
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
1946. Three years after a cataclysmic event that tore their lives apart, a mother and daughter flee Poland for Paris, shame and fear at their heels, not knowing how hard it is to escape your past.
Nearly 80 years later, Gretel Fernsby lives a life that is a far cry from her traumatic childhood. When a couple moves into the flat below her in her London mansion block, it should be nothing more than a momentary inconvenience. However, the appearance of their nine-year-old son, Henry, brings back memories she would rather forget.
Faced with a choice between her own safety and his, Gretel is taken back to a similar crossroads she encountered long ago. Back then, her complicity dishonoured her life, but to interfere now could risk revealing the secrets she has spent a lifetime protecting.
All the Broken Places is John Boyne's masterful sequel to his classic best seller The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, taking a character from that novel on a journey to a place she never goes—the past. Through her story, he explores the aftermath of the war and the effects of a lifetime of guilt.
What listeners say about All the Broken Places
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rhona Lyall
- 18-03-23
Fully immersed in this
Such a good read. Loved the time hopping element of the story and how the author dealt with some incredibly complicated emotions.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 21-02-23
John Boyne delivers a sensational triumph
John Boyne was already one of my favourite authors before reading this book. I cannot over emphasise how good this book is - living up to every expectation and more.
John Boyne has crafted a novel that tick's all the boxes. The author is on top of his material and weaves the narrative together into a satisfying whole. The dialogue is taut and generates real suspense. Difficult listening at times but Boyne doesn't shy away from the important issues. Neither does he manufacture a feel good ending, but there is a clever twist at the end which I didn't see coming. Never does the plot lapse into sentimentally. The characters are presented warts and all. There is no attempt to exonerate past behaviour, Gretl has to face up to to her part in the holocaust and isn't presented as a literary heroine. You will feel the tension and may shed a tear or two.. Brilliant novel which deals with a story that can never be told too often.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tavia G
- 28-02-23
Masterpiece
I’m am devastated this book has ended and found it so compelling and moving. Another masterpiece from a great story teller.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 30-09-23
Superb stand alone sequel
A compelling book which raises lots of questions about how someone might deal with repressed emotions. And ultimately how guilt affects each and every thing that sculpts their lives.
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- Nige1234567
- 29-09-22
Masterfully written, brilliantly read.
This book is so well written you feel completely immersed in it and the history from the very start. The plot is just incredible skipping back in time and returning to the present day in alternate chapters so seamlessly. The narration is just brilliant and both narrators bring the characters to life so brilliantly!!! I didn't want it to end!!
Another piece of literary brilliance from John Boyne.
Having not read The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas prior I most definitely will now.
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- suejaye
- 25-09-22
A wonderful follow up
Brilliant follow up to The Boy in striped pyjamas. Great narration, gripping story. Thank you John Boyne!
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- Anonymous User
- 18-03-24
Excellent story about such an important time in history.
Brought many different emotions up for me throughout. Narrator was excellent and so easy to listen to. Really loved this book and would highly recommend it as a read.
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- Jo Cadden
- 29-08-23
Sometimes challenging but well paced sequel
Found this a quick and entertaining read. I loved the backward and forward between the two time periods and young Gretel and the 91 year old. Normally I find flash backs a bit tiresome but thos time I was intrigued to know 'what happened next' in both time line.
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- Em Bennett
- 15-12-22
Challenging
How would we have behaved had we been Gretel? Then and now. Moving, with many twists and surprises along the way.
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- Anne
- 24-01-23
Fantastic
Such an intelligent writer, he is in a league of his own. Performance was superb and the story incredible. Thank you all for a masterpiece.
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