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The Other Son
- Narrated by: Imogen Church
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
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Summary
Alice has been lying to herself for years, holding fast to the belief that the needs of her family far outweigh her own. But her outwardly successful marriage hides dark secrets, and for much of her life the children were the only reason she stuck around.
These days, though her successful banker son lives nearby, his young wife seems to do everything she can to keep Alice at bay. As for Alice's other son, he has always been something of a stranger and has been traveling for so long that Alice isn't even sure what continent he is on anymore.
Alice can't help but wonder if the effort she expends presenting a united front to the outside world is actually helping anyone and what would happen if she suddenly stopped pretending. Could life, like the novels she devours, hold surprises in its closing chapters? And if she did shake everything up by admitting the truth about her marriage, would anyone be on her side? Has the time finally come for Alice to put her own needs first?
For the first time in years, her heart is racing. Can Alice really change her life? Dare she even imagine such a thing?
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What listeners say about The Other Son
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ann D
- 30-05-16
Fabulous!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely! I found it truly difficult to turn it off and finished it within 24 hours.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I loved all of the characters, except Ken.
What about Imogen Church’s performance did you like?
It was faultless.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I am not inclined to cry in response to a book, but I did cry listening to this one. I was moved to tears at Matt's birthday present (I'll say no more to avoid spoilers). I was also quite moved at other moments.
Any additional comments?
This is the best story of family life I have read/listened to. It very effectively reveals the complexies and multiple perspectives to be found in family dynamics. It also shows the powerful impact of nurture (nature, nurture) upon the individual, whether that is on the developing child or on an adult in a long marriage.
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20 people found this helpful
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- Bernice
- 09-08-16
Heartwarming!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Other Son to be better than the print version?
I have not listened to any other stories by Imogen Church and only ordered this because it was recommended and I wanted a change to my usual books. Initially I thought the story to be slow, but the characters became better rounded and the plot picked up.
I really enjoyed this!
What did you like best about this story?
It has unexpected twists to the story that took me by surprise.
Have you listened to any of Imogen Church’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I have never listened to any other books by this author, but there is a free Christmas sequel. I suspect this is because the story has a bit of an abrupt ending and you are left wondering what happened next.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Matt's birthday present. Touching!
Any additional comments?
Highly recommended. I did not listen to it in one go - it is too long for that, but it was unputdownable.
Enjoy.
(Let me know if you found this review helpful by ticking one of the boxes below.)
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18 people found this helpful
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- dc
- 17-12-16
Worth the time
Where does The Other Son rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I liked this book and didn't find it to be a waste of my time. It kept my attention and the narration did not bother me thereby taking away from the story.
What other book might you compare The Other Son to, and why?
I would not know what to compare this book to but it is a book that was written well enough that it did not need 'twists' or surprises to carry it.
Have you listened to any of Imogen Church’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I did look for her other performances and shall buy some books when I see one I think I shall like. She has a lovely voice and accent.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I don't know what a 'tag' line is.
Any additional comments?
I totally enjoyed this book and it's narrator and I am quite picky. It is not one of these cheap, quickly written and sold for 99p books that are all advertising.
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12 people found this helpful
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- Pete
- 20-05-16
Amazing!
Nick Alexander never fails to impress me as an author and The Other Son is no exception. There is a serious heart to this story with some important issues being addressed but, as always with Nick's books, I left the book with more concern about my friends, the characters. Don't expect an action-packed novel, although it does have its dramatic moments. Nick's real gift is in the construction of believable situations with well-rounded characters. Be prepared not to read a story so much as to live within the story for a while.
I also have to complement Imogen Church for the narration. Imogen manages to make the Canadian character sound Canadian rather than American which is most unusual
Highly recommended.
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12 people found this helpful
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- g
- 13-11-16
A bit too close for comfort.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It has to be Alice.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Alice and Bruno having supper together.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, like I said bought back many bad memories so needed a few breaks.p
Any additional comments?
For me it was very cathartic.
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7 people found this helpful
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- hazanne
- 23-12-16
The other son
Loved this book . Heartwarming and sad by turns and spot on with family relationships.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Teresa evans
- 25-02-21
The other son
This is a really good book I just listened all the way through I loved it. Narrator was brilliant worth a listen
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5 people found this helpful
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- Jaye22
- 24-12-20
Slow, Bittersweet Revelations
This for me is a story of two halves. The first part for me was slow and up and down. It starts off with Alice who is married to a bully Ken who is insufferable with violent tendencies they have 2 sons Tim and Matt. Tim, hugely successful banker is never quite satisfied, he has the dream house, wife and children but is always wanting the approval of his parents who only point out the negatives
The other son Matt leaves home at an early age taking himself out of the toxic environment of his family. He is the reverse doing what Alice deems as menial, trivial jobs, travelling the world until on his travels he meets someone and decides to settle in France.
One day the mother’s best friend Dot leaves her overbearing husband and the affect it has on Alice is amazing. She finds herself standing up to Ken and he thinks things are settled with his fists.
After some wrangling Alice decides to visit Matt in France for a break to clear her head, Matt is dreading her visit because his partner’s parents are completely the opposite of his family and display genuine love for him and he dreads his mother Alice upsetting the apple cart.
The second half of the book is my favourite section and there are a few revelations then we see the real Alice slowly evolving. It takes a few conversations with Matts much younger partner for Alice to wake up. This book finished where it starts to get interesting for me now I have seen there is a Christmas bonus mini sequel.
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5 people found this helpful
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- rosie
- 02-02-21
Easy and enjoyable audible download
First book I've read by this author. Wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it. Simple story but I really related to the characters and for me that makes a good book.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Vanessa Walz
- 13-01-21
Beautiful story
What a beautiful story about life and that’s it’s never too late to start all over again and find happiness.
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3 people found this helpful