Excellent story.

I got this on a recommendation from a friend. And I’m so glad I did
It’s a lovely story. With twists and turns.
Nothing horrible nothing nasty just a jolly good listen
The narrator was very pleasing and kept to character all the way
I was sad when it ended. Because it’s a wonderful story and I would highly recommend it

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Brought back memories of childhood.

The narrator was excellent and the story brought back to me the happy days of childhood when life was much simpler.

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A great book club choice

For me, Sylvia was what a great librarian should be. Wanted to smack some of the pompuss minded characters in the story, but loved them at the same time. Couldn't put it down. Great read x

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Good Story

I enjoyed listening to this - but wished sometimes I had the text to back it up, as I would like to have gone over some of facts. Set in the 1950's through to the present day, it describes how the heroine, Sylvia, the newly arrived childrens librarian in a small town (England), relates to her readers and neighbours. Inevitably, plenty of childrens books are mentioned, and brought back very many memories. However, I was surprised that she did not include Enid Blyton, as myself and friends were passionate about her stories during the 1950s, not Treasure Island or Coral Island. I liked Salley Vickers description of the anxiety surrounding the 11 plus, and the typical post-war relationship between the A, B, and C streams in primary schools. There is also an adult side to the story, as Sylvia falls in love with a married doctor. Part 2 of the story progresses to the present day, and we learn what happened to the children in the story when they became adults.

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So much I liked about this but ...

I like Sally Vickers' style and characterisation so much and in this respect The Librarian did not disappoint. However, the structure of the novel was most unsatisfying. I do not want to write any 'spoilers' so am limited in terms of explaining this but basically, there was a lack of continuity and the fast-forward 'summing up' ending seemed contrived and unconvincing. Back to the positives though; Sally's characters are generally so likeable, kind and hopeful, whilst remaining realistic that they give me a bit more hope for the future and for how people might be with each other.

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1 person found this helpful

excruciating

the book was ok and, if I had read it maybe would have enjoyed it more. However the reader was absolutely awful. Apart from reading it like a children's book or, at times, a shopping list, she couldn't read some words properly. After she had said pacific instead of specific i was mildly forgiving but having a doctor say "skellington" was unforgivable.

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2 people found this helpful