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From a Low and Quiet Sea
- Narrated by: Stephen Hogan, Gerry O'Brien, Ramon Tikaram
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
Shortlisted for the Costa Best Novel Award 2018
Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2018
Random House presents the audiobook edition of From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan, read by Stephen Hogan, Gerry O'Brien and Ramon Tikaram.
Farouk’s country has been torn apart by war.
Lampy’s heart has been laid waste by Chloe.
John’s past torments him as he nears his end.
The refugee. The dreamer. The penitent. From war-torn Syria to small-town Ireland, three men, scarred by all they have loved and lost, are searching for some version of home. Each is drawn towards a powerful reckoning, one that will bring them together in the most unexpected of ways.
Critic reviews
"An engrossing, unpredictable, beautifully crafted novel." (Roddy Doyle)
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What listeners say about From a Low and Quiet Sea
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Hugh M. Clarke
- 14-05-18
Strong and Poetic
The book is composed of four sections, all of which come together in the final sections and with surprise. Three characters, one from Syria and two from Ireland, all attempting to deal with pain and to find a sense of belonging. The language of the book is both poetic and truthful. I will listen again, as I'm aware that, like many good novels, 'From A Low And Quiet Sea', will reveal even greater depths second time round. catches the essence of Ireland in all its absurdity, confusion and love. Very well performed by all three readers.
12 people found this helpful
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Performance
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Story
- Keith
- 11-05-18
Funny, sad, powerful
Three interweaving stories that conclude in a thin enough way. I think the point that stood out the most for me was how funny the middle story was, excellently told, of a young Irish man and his mundane life and how sad the first story was in its long quiet move from a town in Syria to a Greek island (and what that journey means). Very much recommend.
6 people found this helpful
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Story
- C. P. McGregor
- 29-04-18
A Beautiful & Moving Book
I was alerted to this book by a positive review from John Boyne and when I saw that one of the narrators was Stephen Hogan then I knew that I wanted to listen to it rather than read it.
It comprises three linked stories spanning a generation and linking war torn Syria with rural Ireland in a way that you would never expect.
For perhaps obvious reasons I found the Syrian section the most moving and the final section the bleakest but there is plenty of black humour in the middle section and for such a short novel it packs a real emotional punch. Weeks after finishing it (and in the midst of other less gripping books) I find my thoughts still returning to it. Highly recommended.
6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 29-12-18
Staggering
Amazing. I’m crying after getting to the end. Will read again when I’ve recovered. Essential
4 people found this helpful
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- Deacondeep
- 04-09-18
Poetic brilliance
Donal Ryan’s beautiful novel is quite brilliantly read here, with every poetic nuance expertly communicated.
3 people found this helpful
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Story
- J. Kilpin
- 20-01-19
Slightly disappointing
I had seen this recommended and really got hooked at the beginning but got a bit lost along the way. I think I might have fallen asleep and missed a bit as I seemed to get a bit lost part way through! Interesting final part.
1 person found this helpful
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Story
- Gary B.
- 19-10-18
Starts well; and then ends
Too short to be impactful; I'm even struggling to remember what happened in the end. Nice writing but structure fell flat and I was left feeling under-whelmed.
1 person found this helpful
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Story
- Angela
- 20-09-18
Excellent listen
I found it a bit slow to start, Farouk's story was very sad but then I got on to Lampy and it took off. I laughed so much. The story really comes together very well as you look back and realise 'oh yes, that's the connection there'. Very highly recommend.
It's a moving novel and I will probably listen to it again in the future. I only ever do that with the really good ones.
1 person found this helpful
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- Sof
- 13-05-18
Confusing start knits together later
Struggled at the change of story feeling like a couple of short stories and then you get the idea when another story starts.
Compelling and well read.
3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 25-05-21
Brilliant
Narration is outstanding and the characters marvellous. After a dark start it becomes laugh out loud amusing.
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Overall

- M GROTEPASS
- 18-10-18
Terrific read
I loved this book. Each character has a separate story that merges and becomes whole towards the final chapter