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My Phantoms

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About this listen

Helen Grant is a mystery to her daughter. An extrovert with few friends who has sought intimacy in the wrong places; a twice-divorced mother-of-two now living alone surrounded by her memories, Helen (known to her acquaintances as 'Hen') has always haunted Bridget.

Now, Bridget is an academic in her forties. She sees Helen once a year, and considers the problem to be contained. As she looks back on their tumultuous relationship - the performances and small deceptions - she tries to reckon with the cruelties inflicted on both sides. But when Helen makes it clear that she wants more, it seems an old struggle will have to be replayed.

From the prize-winning author of First Love, My Phantoms is a bold, heart-stopping portrayal of a failed familial bond, which brings humour, subtlety and new life to the difficult terrain of mothers and daughters.

©2021 Gwendoline Riley (P)2021 Gwendoline Riley Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Haunted Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt
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searingly honest writing with a narrator of incredible skill, I was transported into the story in a way so few seem to manage on here.

best reading I've heard yet

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This is a short book and at first seems quite straightforward but is actually really sophisticated. The story is narrated by a woman mainly about her dysfunctional realtionship with her mother but it's really clever as it exposes a lot about the narrator herself which isn't expressed explicitly. Brilliant writing. The narration was spot on too. I very rarely listen to books more than once but I will definitely listen to this again.

Brilliant in its apparent simplicity

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misunderstanding and sometimes outright dislike. I'm not sure whether I'm glad I listened or whether I'd rather not have heard any of the bitterness. Maybe it's too clever for me but I can't say I enjoyed it

what a bitter story

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One of the most affecting stories I’ve ever listened to.
I’m reader and listener but not a reviewer until now.
Beautifully written and read. Totally devastating.

Short and brutal

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Irritation and condescension, the narrator caught the daughter's tone perfectly. Enhanced the reading experience.

Compelling book, brilliantly narrated.

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