Yearning Australian tale

Evocative, immersive, dramatic, with melancholic undertones. Enhanced with atmospheric songs, music and skillfull voice characterisation.

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Once you start listening....you won't want to stop

From the opening line, to the very last sentence, this narration of Lazarus Remembered will keep you hooked. Asking the question Why - Why did Pete have to leave? ....and running through various scenarios. And you probably won't guess...we didn't. In this elegantly crafted novel, EJ Harper will keep you wondering until the very end. The story is brilliantly articulated by Francesca Tomlinson, who seamlessly switches from Welsh to Ozzie, taking you with her from continent to continent, into the heart of the story. The changing moods are matched by the original music interspersed throughout the novel." Ernie" will stay with me for sometime!!
The authors descriptions of people and places is so vivid, you can really imagine being there. And much of it was very familiar, especially events that took place in the UK .
I usually listen to podcasts when I'm driving. This was my first real audiobook, but it won't be the last. My husband and I had to find excuses to go out to listen to the next instalment. We found ourselves taking the long way home, or hoping for a traffic jam, just to hear the next part. It really is quite brilliant and captivating! I've just ordered a second copy for my friend as a birthday gift!
Download it and listen - you really won't be disappointed.

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An absolutely stunning book

I have just taken my headphones off for the last time, with tears running down my face.

What a perfectly paced novel, a masterpiece in storytelling. I need to process my thoughts and write a coherent review; but for now I will just give it the 5 stars that it richly deserves and implore anyone reading this to pick this up and listen to it…

Jean & Andy, what an achievement - more to the point, what is next?

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1 person found this helpful

Lazarus Remembered - a must-listen-to audiobook!

I have just finished listening to 'Lazarus Remembered' - a story told with words and music by EJ Harper and produced independently as an audiobook narrated by Francesca Tomlinson.
Wow.
This is so much more than an audiobook: it's a story with a full soundscape, giving a unique immersive audio experience...
The story features thirteen original songs produced and performed by Andy Harper - with singers Robin John Andrews, Nicola Moxham, Dingo Montell, Francesca Tomlinson and Andy Harper.
The songs are perfectly-placed: the music and atmospheric sounds enable you to almost taste and feel the places you are taken too - whether a home, a bar or an outdoor space.
The novel is predominantly set in the fictional town of Lazarus in New South Wales, Australia and - exactly as billed - is ‘a story about secrets and lies, love and loss, reinvention and redemption…’.
The story unfolds by exploring the people and places and moments in time that have led to the events of 2012 – which result in Peter heading back to Australia from the UK – and painting pictures and giving clues to the background of everything that has played out over 50 years...
A wonderfully told story!
As well as recalling the plot that plays out, I think an over-riding memory will be the experience of the full spectrum of the human condition playing out: life, death, the flaws in us all, bad decisions made for very good reasons: this will stay with me.
Recommended!!

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A must listen

Lazarus Remembered been one of my favourite audio books of 2021.
The narrative cleverly weaves between the different time lines, allowing the reader to piece together the full story, and eventually an end to the book that will stay with you. The music and sound design complement the story so well. This isn’t just an audio book - it’s an experience.
Well done E.J. Harper. I’m excited to see what’s next.

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Stunning

This is the most stunning audiobook I've ever heard. The writing, music, production, and narrator are all outstanding. They came together to create a deep and immersive story experience like no other. I found myself crying 20 minutes into the book. The writing is highly emotive, and with the perfect musical underscoring, it grabs you by the heart and chokes you up. It's stunning. The attention to detail is outstanding and made me really feel as if I was there. Often my attention drifts while listening to an audiobook, but not with this one. I was hanging on every word - the author is very skilled! I hope that this book sets a trend and that we get more immersive audio book and music experiences.

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