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Live Flesh

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Live Flesh

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Ian Holm
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About this listen

All his life, for almost as far back as he could remember, Victor had had a phobia. In prison, inevitably, he reflected on the grotesque way it had begun, about the panics and violent anger. He asked himself, too, why the child of happily married, middle-class parents should have needed to make motiveless and unreasoning attacks on women.

Holed up in that house with the girl, he had not meant to pull the trigger. It was panic. Panic, which came over him like a second skin, prickling him all over, crawling on him.... An attempted murder not only brings Victor Jenner face to face with himself, but also involves him in a strange and doomed triangular relationship.

©1986 Kingsmarkham Enterprises (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Crime Fiction Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Detective Crime Exciting Mind-bending Scary
All stars
Most relevant
I love how all the seemingly random events all connect eventually. Ruth Rendell was a genius at plots.

Gripping

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An insight into the mind of a very disturbing character, at times pathetic, at times almost understandable, always lonely and full of desperation. Enjoyable isn’t really the word! The narration is excellent.

More of a Barbara Vine?

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Recognisably Rendell but very different as well - we follow a fascinating damaged man on a dark journey. It’s so vivid and brilliantly read with a constant sense of foreboding. It’s funny at times and gruesome at others. Lots of unsettling moments and surprising turns. Really enjoyed it but not recommended if you are feeling low - as mental health issues feature negatively.

A Dark mind going toxic in very real London

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Ruth Rendell never ceases to amaze me. I could hardly stop listening and Ian Holm is a wonderful narrator
Highly recommend this

Marvellous

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What made the experience of listening to Live Flesh the most enjoyable?

It was a pretty engrossing listen - interesting and dramatic. Rendell (as ever) brought the characters to life and the twisty plot really complemented the slightly drab suburban London background.

What other book might you compare Live Flesh to, and why?

Any thriller really - I note that Pedro Almodovar based his film, 'Live Flesh' on Rendell's book (although it was a pretty loose fit...) so it's clearly quality material.

What does Ian Holm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I don't recall ever reading the book, but Ian Holm's performance was excellent - especially whilst portraying the main character, Victor.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

There already is a film of this book!

Live Flesh

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