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The Poet

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

I believe every word you say. That was always my mistake.

Bright, promising Emma is entangled in a toxic romance with her old professor—and she's losing control.

Cruel, charming Tom is idolised by his students and peers—confident he holds all the cards.

In their small Oxford home, he manipulates and undermines her every thought and act. Soon, he will push her to the limit and she must decide: to remain quiet and submit, or to take her revenge.

The Poet is a portrait of a deeply dysfunctional relationship, exploring coercive control, class and privilege. It is also a passionate, enthralling tale of female solidarity and survival.

©2022 Louisa Reid (P)2022 Penguin Audio Genre Fiction Psychological Women's Fiction Fiction Suspense
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This was beautiful. The revenge of a woman written in poems. Applause to Louise Reid

Hell hath no wrath Like a woman scorned

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I found it took a couple of chapters to get into this book but it’s so worth sticking with.
The writing is truly remarkable, reflexively exploring the world of academia, inequality and their effects on the people behind the learning. Insightful and thought provoking. Highly recommend.

Beautifully written

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Couldn't stop listening, coercive control detailed painfully and beautifully. Clever revenge that I didn't see coming.

Gripping.

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I LOVED the writing style, Reid writes beautifully, allowing you to really empathise with how the protagonist feels. I found it easy to put myself in her position evoking strong emotions and I put this down to Reid’s brilliant writing. We are quickly drawn into Emma’s story and wonder how she will triumph and even if she will. Nadia Clifford, the narrator is very talented and tells this story wonderfully. The reason I have given this book 4 stars though is because I was slightly disappointed with the ending and felt it lacked something given the build up, I also didn’t find the ending believable enough. Overall still a very enjoyable book to listen to.

Rollercoaster initially but the ending let’s this book down

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Louisa writes like many of us now think, in short bursts of verse. It’s a style that works well when performed in audiobook. Louisa is an old school pal of mine and I love her dearly and every word she writes. This is another corker of a book that speaks to every girl with a great mind who has ever doubted her value in the places where men have traditionally flourished. Her in Oxford, me in Cambridge. Belatedly for me, she teaches us that making a life for yourself requires more than hard work and following the rules. In Louisa’s story, Emma is sensitive and vulnerable but open, sassy and creative. She reminds us that if you find yourself in a bad relationship, you don’t need to be brave but you do need to recognise it then be clever, bide your time, have a plan, shift your ass and hotfoot outta there. Thanks Louisa, x

Another superb book

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