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The End of Loneliness

The Dazzling International Bestseller

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The End of Loneliness

By: Benedict Wells, Charlotte Collins - translator
Narrated by: Luke Thompson
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The international bestseller, translated by the award-winning translator of The Tobacconist, Charlotte Collins

Winner of the European Union Prize for Literature

'Original and captivating . . . its quiet charm in straightforward prose belies its sharp insight into the human condition' Stylist

'It is impossible to look away from it' Guardian

'Dazzling' John Irving

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I've known Death a long time but now Death knows me.

When their idyllic childhood is shattered by the sudden death of their parents, siblings Marty, Liz and Jules are sent to a bleak state boarding school. Once there, the orphans' lives change tracks: Marty throws himself into academic life; Liz is drawn to dark forms of escapism; and Jules transforms from a vivacious child to a withdrawn teenager.

The only one who can bring him out of his shell is his mysterious classmate Alva, who hides a dark past of her own, but despite their obvious love for one another, the two leave school on separate paths.

Years later, just as it seems that they can make amends for time wasted, the past catches up with them, and fate - or chance - will once again alter the course of a life.

Told through the fractured lives of the siblings, The End of Loneliness is a heartfelt, enriching novel about loss and loneliness, family and love.

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'This novel has been rightfully described as something of a masterpiece. One thing is for sure - it is not easily forgotten' Sunday Post

'Beautifully rendered: moving and wise, occasionally timeless . . . when Wells most needs to be sophisticated, he is' Irish Times

'A superbly insightful story' BookRiot©2016 Diogenes Verlag AG*
20th Century Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance World Literature Heartfelt Comedy
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Critic reviews

An exquisitely wrought and utterly absorbing meditation upon life, loss and love. (Ian McEwan)
It is impossible to look away from it
What happens to Jules and Alva in the hands of Benedict Wells is dazzling storytelling . . . The End of Loneliness is both affecting and accomplished - and eternal
Original and captivating . . . its quiet charm in straightforward prose belies its sharp insight into the human condition
Beautifully rendered: moving and wise, occasionally timeless . . . when Wells most needs to be sophisticated, he is
This novel has been rightfully described as something of a masterpiece. One thing is for sure - it is not easily forgotten. Heartfelt and enriching
With a surprising maturity . . . Benedict Wells has found a voice to describe, neither cruelly nor over-sensitively, human fragility, failure and ageing
A superbly insightful story
The writing is as luminous as the subject is dark
Wells' style is less antic than that of his admired elder John Irving, but . . . the resemblances are strong . . . A tender, affecting novel
A love story and a life story, this rich and well-translated domestic drama acknowledges that some bonds are truly immutable in the face of, or perhaps because of, tragedy and that our memories and the stories we make of them, though they may change, are as real as anything.
Touching and timeless, the story is expertly and evocatively rendered, in prose both beautiful and sparse enough to cut clearly to the question at the novel's heart: how one copes with loss that isn't-or doesn't have to be-permanent.
All stars
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An amazing story of life. There were a lot of sadness and reality.
hardly recommend to read and find some feelings of other side of view

powerful book

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Otherwise the story might sound dull, though beautifully written. Great job by luke thompson!

most engaging narration

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Loved the story, is beautiful and sad at the same time, but for me, Luke Thompson as the narrator is absolutely the best thing about it, can’t wait to listen more about him. Amazing actor and amazing narrator.

The narrator is very impressive.

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The narrator is amazing and I am going to look for more by him as his understated style is wonderful to listen to.
The story is simple and elegant. My husband had read this in Spanish and I'd bought the book to read in English but never found the time. I am so glad to have listened to this. I have enjoyed every minute.

simply beautiful

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Lovely well structured & moving story and really enjoyable narration to bring it to life, couldn’t stop listening to the readers expressive narration.

Beautiful Narration

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