Friendly Fire cover art

Friendly Fire

A warm, compelling novel of adolescence and young love

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Friendly Fire

By: Patrick Gale
Narrated by: Patrick Gale
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About this listen

 Insightful and full of understanding and warmth, Patrick Gale's FRIENDLY FIRE is a richly compelling story of adolescence, sexuality and the lessons we carry forever.

'An intense tale of love, life, intellectualism and passion. Inspirational' Daily Express
'Utterly compelling from first to last' Stephen Fry

Sophie, an orphan in love with learning, is sure she will thrive in Tatham's, an esteemed boarding school, having survived years of institutional living. But she soon finds herself lost among its cliques and rituals. Befriending two teenage boys, she experiences the first ache of futile love, then a brilliant teacher's inappropriate attention to one of the trio threatens to destroy them all. Sophie swiftly realizes that there are tougher lessons to absorb outside the schoolroom - of class, sex, families and the emotional disaster they can bring to even the most privileged lives.

(P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Ltd©2005 Patrick Gale Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction

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Critic reviews

Utterly compelling from first to last (Stephen Fry)
An intense tale of love, life, intellectualism and passion. Inspirational
Friendly Fire is another triumph for Gale. It is part of an oeuvre which looks ever more formidable
A classic tale of subversion
Patrick Gale is a writer who has always seemed particularly well-attuned to the assorted agonies and ecstasies of childhood . . . the emotions ring true
All stars
Most relevant
Patrick Gale really must stop narrating his own books, it spoils them; his voice is not suited to the characters and it’s very off putting because of that.

Narrator

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Really enjoyed the book. I liked Patrick Gale reading it to me. The story took several twists and turns and I leant a few things I didn’t know! Thank you Patrick 😊

Brilliant

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Another great book by Patrick Gale, loved the characters and story line. Excellent narration by the author himself.

Wonderful listen

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I love Patrick Gale’s books. His stories weave in and out of real lives. And his voice is perfect for the narration.

A wonderful tale

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