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Oxblood

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Oxblood

By: Tom Benn
Narrated by: Chloe Massey
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Oxblood by Tom Benn, read by Chloe Massey.

**Winner of the 2022 Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award**
**Longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize 2022**

‘Oxblood shows us that there are few places literature can’t take us, if the writer is brave enough, and gifted enough’ FRANCIS SPUFFORD
'The master of northern noir' SUNDAY TIMES
'Brilliant' DENISE MINA
'An absolute triumph' GUARDIAN
'Powerful and so beautifully written' HARRIET TYCE

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Wythenshawe, South Manchester. 1985. The Dodds family once ruled Manchester’s underworld; now the men are dead, leaving three generations of women trapped in a house haunted by violence, harbouring an unregistered baby and the ghost of a murdered lover.

Over the course of a few days, Nedra, Carol and Jan must each confront the true legacy of the men who have defined their lives; and seize the opportunity to break the cycle for good.

_______________________________________________________________

‘If I read a better novel than Oxblood in 2022, it’ll be a blinding year for fiction’ JOSEPH KNOX
'A propulsive, bountiful, fearless work of art' OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE
'One of the most powerful and urgent writers of our times' DAVID PEACE

©2022 Tom Benn (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Haunted
All stars
Most relevant
Though there is a central murder to the story it never takes over what is a beautifully observed tale with recognisable characters.

Awarded four rather than five stars as it is sometimes tricky to keep up with the time changes when it is spoken rather than read but the narration is perfect.

Beautifully written tale of family and a crime

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Authentic in the way it juxtaposes the lives and experiences of three women from different generations in a family where all males were criminals. Shocking in its disection of the family dynamics that create crime and poverty traps, denying the younger generation the chance at social mobility. Masterful in capturing the characters' rich inner universe of beliefs, feelings, desires and regrets. Excellent narration.

Eye-opening and masterfully written

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Powerful and poetic language and a compelling story. The narrator was exceptional, giving each character a distinctive voice even though each had an authentic Mancunian accent.

Superb narration

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I can’t think of many audio books where the writing and the performance are so well balanced. This book is not to be missed. Chloe Massy is pitch perfect with every character, that’s no mean feet in this novel. Tom Benn’s writing is poetic, raw and breathtaking.

Not to be missed.

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