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Some Luck

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Some Luck

By: Jane Smiley
Narrated by: Lorelei King
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About this listen

Some Luck is the first novel in the dazzling Last Hundred Years trilogy from the winner of the Pulitzer Prize Jane Smiley; a literary adventure that will spans a century in America.

1920. After his return from the battlefields in France, Walter Langdon and his wife Rosanna begin their life together on a remote farm in Iowa. As time passes, their little family will grow: from Frank, the handsome, wilful first-born, to Joe, whose love of animals and the land sustains him; from Lillian, beloved by her mother, to Henry who craves only the world of his books; and Claire, the surprise baby, who earns a special place in her father's heart.

As Walter and Rosanna struggle to keep their family through good years and hard years - to years more desperate than they ever could have imagined, the world around their little farm will turn, and life for their children will be unrecognizable from what came before. Some will fall in love, some will have families of their own, some will go to war and some will not survive. All will mark history in their own way.

Tender, compelling and moving from the 1920s to the 1950s, told in multiple voices as rich as the Iowan soil, Some Luck is an astonishing feat of storytelling by a prize-winning author writing at the height of her powers.

Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Small Town & Rural Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant

What did you like most about Some Luck?

It was such a pleasant listen which was really lovely for relaxing with a cup of tea.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Some Luck?

This question is aimed to reveal spoilers.. but I shall not succumb!

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

Nothing special, but she was O.K.

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

Family life

Any additional comments?

A creative insight into family life post WW1 leading though right into the 50s. With some highs and lows, this really is a realistic view of what life really can be like, in any era. I found the story to be inventive and cleverly written, with a pleasant undertone of old fashioned ways.

A really pleasant listen

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The pace of this story gathers and before you know it you are caught up in Rosanna and Walters' lives. You really care about them- they become your family and their history is fascinating. I was shocked and saddened when this volume came to an end. I loved it and Lorelei King's performance was brilliant.

Lovely story- well told

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Rather long winded but perhaps necessary for descriptive prose. Reader good at evoking characters and situations.




First in trilogy

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This was a slow build, wasn't sure if I was going to be bored by it. But no! Jane Smiley sucks you into the world of this family with all its different personalities and lives. Beautiful writing and beautifully narrated . Will be reading the next volume in the Trilogy.

Wonderfully evocative of personalities and eras

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I've been putting off starting this trilogy. I thought it might be a bit too long, a bit linear, maybe a bit slow. I was wrong. It's a page turner and immerses you in a family story told by multiple characters. A remarkable feat of story telling. I can't wait to listen to book 2.

Another great listen from Jane Smiley

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