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The Children Act
- Narrated by: Lindsay Duncan
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
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The Children Act
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Summary
Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge, presiding over cases in the family court. She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude and sensitivity. But her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife. There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now her marriage of 30 years is in crisis. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case: for religious reasons, a beautiful 17-year-old boy, Adam, is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life, and his devout parents share his wishes. Time is running out. Should the secular court overrule sincerely held faith? In the course of reaching a decision Fiona visits Adam in hospital - an encounter which stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy. Her judgment has momentous consequences for them both.
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What listeners say about The Children Act
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
- 26-04-16
Excellent
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Gripping narrative. Raises interesting dilemmas that challenges your own thinking. Ian McEwan at his best. This book is a must read!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Cole
- 26-03-15
Interesting
Interesting book beautifully written. The voice used to depict the boy was distracting as it was far too childish and therefore the wrongness of the attraction was more evident.
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2 people 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
- SJC
- 26-08-18
Mesmerising
This is a super narration by Lindsay Duncan. Set aside the 6 hours to listen in one go! Every word written and then spoken with precision.
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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
- M. Clark
- 10-09-14
A KIND NARRATIVE
If you could sum up The Children Act in three words, what would they be?
Fascinating, thought provoking.
What other book might you compare The Children Act to, and why?
Apple Tree Yard, only because it deals with a professional woman, who outwardly has her life under tight control.
Have you listened to any of Lindsay Duncan’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Lindsay Duncan is perfect although when portraying a 17 year old she is a touch patronising.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Who judges the judges?
Any additional comments?
McEwan always educates with his books and this is another example of exceptional writing along with scrupulous research. I think Ian McEwan must be a kind and thoughtful man.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. C. L. Vane
- 08-05-15
Breathtaking
This is a complex wonderful read that explores ageing, childlessness, the price of a career, religion and the challenge of playing the piano really well
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2 people found this helpful
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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
- Gill
- 21-07-15
Decisions
Would you listen to The Children Act again? Why?
very easy to listen to and was intrigued by the character and her thought process at times, especially some of the decisions she made
What did you like best about this story?
Thought provoking - what would I do?
Have you listened to any of Lindsay Duncan’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No but will look out for them
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2 people 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
- Welsh Mafia
- 06-09-15
Grateful to The Dead
Having panned Solar I was delighted with this complete return to form - and amused to see that Ian has taken my earlier criticism positively and delivered to formula.
Simpatico and substance on the basis of a well fleshed out female character coping with circumstances that fall squarely within the ambit of everyday life - albeit the everyday life of the senior judiciary. The main action is played out around the Inns of Court, but there is a well-judged diversion up to my now home ground of Newcastle Upon Tyne, the Quayside Courts and a country hotel on the way out to Hexham that read strangely familiarly (but its not Close House).
Most familiar of all was the ending - and whilst it is important to never judge a cover by its book - the homage to James Joyce is beautifully executed.
Right, we are back on literary track - medical, professional and judicial now ticked off and a classic short story translated into a satisfying epiphanous novella, you’ve done outside London, in the wind and the rain of a British autumn to boot......eyes on the prize now Ian, surprise us with something really big and inventive, go on son!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Sandra Robinson
- 01-10-17
Absorbing and compelling
An intense and moving book which draws in the reader . The writers style is wonderfully descriptive and brought to life by the superb narration .
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Blondie
- 24-04-17
A short slow burner
Classy novella as you would expect from McEwan, dealing with dilemmas and feelings that are both domestic and mundane and tragic and profound with equal fluency. A feeling of dread hangs over the narrative. His protagonists are convincing and we'll supported by the minor players. I do wonder if, after On Chesil Beach and Saturday McEwan is becoming a tad predictable though.
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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
- Sue
- 07-08-15
One of the best McEwan novels
Ian McEwan's amazing story - beautifully written. Narrator perfect. I have recommended this book to my book group.
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2 people found this helpful