Evocative and engaging stories

The book is slow to start as the 21st century lives of four of the main characters and their families are described to set the scene for their adventure 50 years earlier when they, plus one other, ran away to London to escape their humdrum existence in Glasgow. Thereafter the book takes off and kept me listening as the narrative flips between the mid 1960s and the present day when the foursome decide to repeat the trip to London as the dying wish of one of their number. The spirit of 1960s are strongly evoked as are the hopes and fears of being an inexperienced teenager.

This is fiction and so the two trips, 50 years apart, have a surfeit of extraordinary escapades and chance meetings. The parallel stories are full of humour and dramatic tension, though there is a too long section uncritically describing the methods of a therapist, who seemed to be based on the controversial psychiatrist RD Laing.

Overall I enjoyed the book, though I think the Lewis Trilogy are better books.

The narrator is very good and brings the characters to life when both young and older.

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6 people found this helpful

What did happen 50 years ago in Swinging London?

A lovely book that plays a story from 50 years ago off against the same characters now. Nascent boy band from Glasgow run away to 60s Swinging London to seek fame and fortune. They bump along within touching distance of the famous only to hit the wall of sex, drugs and erm, not quite rock'n'roll. Of course it's their need to return 50 years later to discover what happened and seek some kind of ending before they themselves end, that reveals what happened. There is humour and love and chases along the way.
Peter Forbes does his usual good job with Peter May's story. This is a more low key work than some of the authors' other novels, eg his Lewis trilogy, but contains the usual humanity for his players, however small or large.
Haven't heard a duff story from May and Forbes, but this will work best with those who have some recollection or knowledge of the 60s.

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2 people found this helpful

Not bad at all

I'm fairly new to audio books and this one kept me hooked while listening in the car to and from work. Very enjoyable listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Well written

I certainly found this book hard to put down, and I do like Peter Forbes as narrator.

There were parts of the book that I became so involved with the characters that I felt quite distressed as I could see them walking into 'wrong' situations. Overall, I enjoyed this, and it reinforces my opinion of Peter May as being a superb author

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1 person found this helpful

Ho Hum

Would you try another book written by Peter May or narrated by Peter Forbes?

Yes.

Would you recommend Runaway to your friends? Why or why not?

No. The story moved too slowly.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

None in particular.

Was Runaway worth the listening time?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Good narrator, good regional accents, story weak.

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Had to delay breakfast so must be very good. Surprising ending is excellent.

All the characters wasted a lot of their lives due to an adventure when they were teenagers so this is sad.

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fantastic

love this book and once again the narration by Peter Forbes brings the book to life. Peter May is a brilliant writer and I am enjoying all of his books.

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brilliant story brilliantly told

This is a superb story beautifully written and narrated. Tense and shocking in turns with great atmosphere. Peter May paints wonderful word pictures. A tale of friendship love and loss. Emotional.

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great listen

good story well told. peter May certainly entertains and the topical subject matter made this all the more compelling.

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Another hit by Peter May

Well recommended. I listened at every opportunity and finished it in two days. Peter Forbes gave excellent narration. I have listened to the Lewis trilogy which I also enjoyed and was not disappointed with this stand alone.

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