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The Invisible Hour

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The Invisible Hour

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Jessie Mueller
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About this listen

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery and the enduring magic of books.

Sixteen-year-old Ivy is pregnant and alone. Cast out by her family, she runs away and finds safety in the arms of Joel Davis. He offers a simpler life than the one she had in Boston, a quiet, rural life of rules, peace and community. Little does she realise, Joel is the charismatic leader of a cult known as the Community, and all is not quite as it seems.

Daughter Mia has only known the claustrophobic life of the Community. While out serving the Community one weekend, she secretly commits a transgression – reading. Discovering a world beyond the edges of the Community’s property is intoxicating. But breaking rules carries serious consequences, and sends Mia on a path she could never have imagined.

With two fiercely wonderful heroines, The Invisible Hour is a heart-breaking and hopeful novel of family, redemption and the power of love.

Praise for Alice Hoffman

‘Beautiful, harrowing, a major contribution to twenty-first century literature’
Toni Morrison

‘I am still reeling from The Dovekeepers – from the history Alice Hoffman illuminates, from the language she uses to bring these women to life. This novel is a testament to the human spirit and to love rising from the ashes of war. But most of all, this novel is one that will never be forgotten by a reader.’
Jodi Picoult

‘In her remarkable new novel, Alice Hoffman holds a mirror to our ancient past as she explores the contemporary themes of sexual desire, women’s solidarity in the face of strife, and the magic that’s quietly present in our day-to-day living. Put The Dovekeepers at the pinnacle of Hoffman’s extraordinary body of work. I was blown away.’
Wally Lamb

‘Alice Hoffman takes seemingly ordinary lives and lets us see and feel extraordinary things.’
Amy Tan

‘Miss Hoffman heals wounds with the gentle touch of an angel’
Joseph Heller

'Oh, what a book this is! Hoffman’s exploration of the world of good and evil, and the constant contest between them, is unflinching; and the humanity she brings to us – it is a glorious experience.'
Elizabeth Strout
Coming of Age Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Magic Magical Realism Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Feel-Good
All stars
Most relevant
This novel is refreshingly original for me and the prose is enchanting.
The narration is beautifully matched to the story.
I found the novel to be thought-provoking and capable of creating exquisite, dream-like emotions.
Highly recommended.

Hauntingly Beautiful

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Great story line
Performance lacked timbre and therefore sometimes lost interest - characters tended to morph into each other

Wonderful story

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Loved this magical book so much. A beautiful story of a mother and daughter with an unspeakable bond!. I want to listen all over again already. Beautiful

Incredibly captivating book!

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I was captivated from the very beginning. A beautifully written tale with characters that are so believable. I was with them every step of the way!
This is a book I want all my friends and family to experience.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

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I loved Alice Hoffman’s writing in her previous books but this was a bit off. Couldn’t quite understand the time travel bit and Mia was a pain in the neck.

Time travel meh

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