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The Empathy Problem

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The Empathy Problem

By: Gavin Extence
Narrated by: Jack Hawkins
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About this listen

Driven by money, power and success, Gabriel has worked ruthlessly to get to the very top of the banking game. He's not going to let the inconvenience of a terminal brain tumour get in his way. But the tumour has other ideas. As it grows, it appears to be doing strange things to Gabriel's personality. Whether he likes it or not, he seems to be becoming less selfish, less mercenary, less unlikeable. Once he could dismiss the rest of humanity as irrelevant. Now he's not so sure.

Women in particular are becoming worryingly three-dimensional. And none more so than Caitlin, the unremarkable girl he sees busking on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. When she plays her violin, Gabriel could almost believe that he has a soul.... But as each day that passes brings him closer to his last, has time run out for second chances?

Best-selling author Gavin Extence pushes the envelope again with another thought-provoking and funny novel about the surprises, good and bad, that life can throw at us.

©2016 Gavin Extence (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton Contemporary Contemporary Romance Dark Humour Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Medical Metaphysical & Visionary Romance Comedy

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All stars
Most relevant
An interesting tale, superbly told by the narrator who brings the characters to life. I enjoyed the style of the writing and the way the story evolves. A sad, but also strangely uplifting listen. Highly recommended.

Moving Story

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Enjoyed this book. Good knowledge of the city put against one person's life altering health issue. As always Jack Hawkins does awesome narration, he does voices so well. Nice interplay between the 2 main characters. If there was an equivalent for Chick Lit but involving a male lead character, this would be it.

Thoughtful listen

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I really like the writing of Gavin Extence, but it did take me longer to get into this book than the Alex Woods, i think that was because I didn't immediately like the main character. But I did enjoy it, and will probably read it again, I also became fond of Gabriel. (The main character)
This author seems to have a different perspective on life and has a lovely way of writing.

I do have one criticism........ The narrator pronounces reMUNeration as reNUMeration ..... This is a frequent mistake by many narrators and it does irritate! Apart from that, I thought he did a superb job!

It took longer to get into this book

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The story is good, deep, meaningful and thought provoking. The setting is modern bringing to the fore events which happened during the financial crash whilst touching upon subjects which affect us all.
A book which leaves you thinking long after it's been read.
The narration is also excellent.

A brilliant author

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I devowered this book over a couple of days. The narrative and the excellent narration make this a superb experience.

Young hedge fund manager tries to ignore his brain tumour and carry-on making money. The fact that he is lonely and leads a loveless life becomes apparent and he doesn't know whether his increasing interest in the occupy camp, just outside his place of work, is natural or due to his tumour.

The novel is more than the sum of the plot. It has it all - subterfuge, revenge, possible redemption and an increasing love for the protagonist as he learns feel empathy (and more) for others. All is achieved without sentimentality or hectoring - quite an achievement!

I'm eager for more by Gavin Extence. He's a wonderful author.

Life affirming without being sentimental

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