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  • Mother's Boy

  • A stunning novel of Cornwall, war and hidden love
  • By: Patrick Gale
  • Narrated by: Patrick Gale
  • Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (207 ratings)
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Mother's Boy

By: Patrick Gale
Narrated by: Patrick Gale
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Summary

From the best-selling author of A Place Called Winter comes Mother's Boy, a superb historical novel of Cornwall, class, desire and two world wars.

Laura, an impoverished Cornish girl, meets her husband when they are both in service in Teignmouth in 1916. They have a baby, Charles, but Laura's husband returns home from the trenches a damaged man, already ill with the tuberculosis that will soon leave her a widow. In a small, class-obsessed town she raises her boy alone, working as a laundress and gradually becomes aware that he is some kind of genius.

As an intensely private young man, Charles signs up for the navy with the new rank of coder. His escape from the tight, gossipy confines of Launceston to the colour and violence of war sees him blossom as he experiences not only the possibility of death, but the constant danger of a love that is as clandestine as his work.

Mother's Boy is the story of a man who is among yet apart from his fellows, in thrall to yet at a distance from his own mother; a man being shaped for a long, remarkable and revered life spent hiding in plain sight. But it is equally the story of the dauntless mother who will continue to shield him long after the dangers of war are past.

©2022 Patrick Gale (P)2022 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic reviews

"One of the joys of Gale's writing is how even the smallest of characters can appear fully formed, due to a charming wickedness alongside deeper observations." (Irish Times)

"A writer with heart, soul and a dark and naughty wit, one whose company you relish and trust." (Observer)

What listeners say about Mother's Boy

Average customer ratings
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Id give it 10 stars if possible

wasn't too keen to start with, bit as the novel progressed, I grew to love the characters more and .ore. this is one of those books you wish would never end. its like all your friends dying at once. I know Launceston well, it's always been a town of real people to me and this novel captures the spirit of the town. I now intend to read the poems of Charles Causlley,.
Well dome Patrick Gale for yet another amazing book. if ever I went on mastermind my main subject would be your novels

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9 people found this helpful

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I will have to listen to it all again

Wonderful word pictures of the life of the Causley family over fifty turbulent years. Beautifully read by the author himself. I wept at several points and wished it did not have to end.

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4 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

loved this book. lots of surprising twists and turns all the way through. Felt like I had lost some friends when finished.

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4 people found this helpful

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Mothers Boy

Loved the novel. I did not want it to end & was bereft when it did. The narration by the author was perfect. One of those books that stay in your mind for a long time afterwards and ha left me wondering what to listen to next !! The characters were so real and I totally immersed myself in their lives.

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3 people found this helpful

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A tale of its time

The telling of the story drew me in more and more as it progressed. fascinating.

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3 people found this helpful

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mothers boy

amazing so thoughtful written have not read a book for a long time that moved me

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2 people found this helpful

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Loved this

A tenderly written and moving story. I cried at points- beautiful insights into war from less heard voices. Should be on school curricula!

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2 people found this helpful

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A story to touch your heart, I love Charles Causley’s poems and often read them to my children

An amazing story it is ages since I have been so moved by a book thank you

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2 people found this helpful

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Janner

Loved this as I love as always a Charles causley fan. My father was was in the merchant navy during the war and my mother was a WRN. At first I thought wasn’t sure about Patrick’s narration but it grew on me. So restful to run and walk to. Definitely recommend

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2 people found this helpful

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Wonderful.

The sign of a good book - I feel bereft to have finished it! The characters are all so convincingly and warmly written. Highly recommend.

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1 person found this helpful