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Sweet Sorrow

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Sweet Sorrow

By: David Nicholls
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
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About this listen

One life-changing summer, Charlie meets Fran...David Nicholls’s highly anticipated new novel, narrated by Rory Kinnear.

In 1997, Charlie Lewis is the kind of boy you don't remember in the school photograph. His exams have not gone well. At home he is looking after his father, when surely it should be the other way round, and if he thinks about the future at all, it is with a kind of dread.

Then Fran Fisher bursts into his life and despite himself, Charlie begins to hope.

But if Charlie wants to be with Fran, he must take on a challenge that could lose him the respect of his friends and require him to become a different person. He must join the Company. And if the Company sounds like a cult, the truth is even more appalling.

The price of hope, it seems, is Shakespeare. Poignant, funny, enchanting, devastating, Sweet Sorrow is a tragicomedy about the rocky path to adulthood and the confusion of family life, a celebration of the reviving power of friendship and that brief, searing explosion of first love that can only be looked at directly after it has burned out.

©2019 David Nicholls (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Romance Feel-Good Tear-jerking Heartfelt Witty

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Critic reviews

"Nicholls is fabulous on first love and Kinnear’s narration strikes the perfect balance between teenage defiance and vulnerability." (Daily Mail)

"Such a beautiful book. Captures perfectly a moment in time we've all experienced." (Graham Norton)

"He's such a genius. His novels are relatable and recognizable, but also surprising, breath-taking and life-enhancing." (Nina Stibbe)
All stars
Most relevant
I went last week to a launch of this book hosted by Bookish in Crickhowell. David Nicholls told his audience how he constructed this story and a little of his references. As it was a largely female audience (I was one of only three men), and as I hadn't read the book's cover notes, I asked David what turned out to be a naive question; Can you tell me what is in your book for the male reader? He was polite and gave an interesting and informative answer; now I have read the book I know what is in it for men and I cringe at the stupidity of my question. There is so much in it for men, so much for everyone.
The book is one of the most tender portrayals of a young man, growing up and experiencing difficulties whilst also encountering first love. I defy any reader to be unaffected by this story. Brilliant!

Simply superb.

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I downloaded this to listen to on a tediously long journey and was laughing SO much I really didn't mind being stuck on the M25. Rory Kinnear is a fantastic actor and brings a comic nuance to all the characters. It's simply brilliant. My 12 year old listened too and found it funny, although we were laughing for different reasons. For me, author has absolutely nailed my childhood. I cannot recommend this as a listening experience highly enough.

Absolutely hilarious

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I absolutely adored this. To the point where I never write reviews but I need to pass this on, I feel like I need to press it in to everyone’s hands with a “read.this” - this book is beautiful and hilarious and lovely, the performance of it really makes it and I absolutely adored every minute of it. I cannot stress enough how much you should read it. Having never read David Nicholls before I’m a total convert, what an incredibly talented writer. I’m off to buy a physical copy now that I can give out to Everyone I Know.

My book of the year

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This is right up there with One Day for me. It covers many similar tropes of young love, what could have beens and laugh out loud moments. If you are a fan of David Nicholls’ other books you will love this too.

Absolutely loved it

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great book beautifully performed. sad, funny, very real (to me). one of the best listens I've had.

great listen

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