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Shy

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Shy

By: Max Porter
Narrated by: Joe Gaminara
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About this listen

From the bestselling author of Grief is the Thing with Feathers and Lanny, Shy is a novel about guilt, rage, imagination and boyhood. It is about being lost in the dark, and realising you are not alone.

'Max Porter is one of my favourite writers in the world.' George Saunders
'Beautiful and haunting.' Kevin Barry
'The strangest, most beguiling and affecting of all his books.' Ian Rankin
'A miracle of language.' Irish Times

This is the story of a few strange hours in the life of a troubled teenage boy.

You mustn't do that to yourself Shy. You mustn't hurt yourself like that.

He is wandering into the night listening to the voices in his head: his teachers, his parents, the people he has hurt and the people who are trying to love him.

Got your special meds, nutcase?

He is escaping Last Chance, a home for 'very disturbed young men', and walking into the haunted space between his night terrors, his past and the heavy question of his future.

'An act of humanity and grace, heightened by its distinctive form and artistry.' Telegraph

©2023 Max Porter (P)2023 Faber Audio Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
All stars
Most relevant
I loved the poetry more hearing it allowed and performed so powerfully. Such a poignant story

The reader is unbearable

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Tender and moving tale of a confused and conflicted mind. Incredibly evocative of a shared teenage era. Superbly written, fast paced short story. Enjoyed previous book and this didn’t disappoint.

Powerful

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The story of a violent and troubled young man told in a poetic stream of language and feelings encompassing an extraordinary gamut of dark, difficult and strange emotions. Some sections are hard to hear because of those feelings, but I am very glad to have listened to it and heard this story. The narrator does a great job too!

Hard hitting

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Listened to this as a potential quick read to recommend to senior school students. There is swearing and a number of trigger warnings e.g. drug use and suicide but a thought provoking window into the mind of a challenged young man.

Chaotic and thought provoking

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I love the poetry of all his works and their variety. Max Porter has an amazing ear for words and creates amazing images with them.

Astonishingly Lyrical

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