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The One-in-a-Million Boy

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About this listen

A one-in-a-million story for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and think about how extraordinary ordinary life can be. Not to be missed by those who loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Elizabeth Is Missing or The Shock of the Fall.

Miss Ona Vitkus has - aside from three months in the summer of 1914 - lived unobtrusively, her secrets fiercely protected. The boy, with his passion for world records, changes all that. He is 11. She is 104 years, 133 days old (they are counting). And he makes her feel like she might be really special after all.

Better late than never...only it's been two weeks now since he last visited, and she's starting to think he's not so different from all the rest. Then the boy's father comes, for some reason determined to finish his son's good deed. And Ona must show this new stranger that not only are there odd jobs to be done but a life's ambition to complete....

©2016 Monica Wood (P)2016 Dreamscape Media, LLC. Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"I loved it! The boy is one of my favourite literary characters ever! I thought it was a gem of a novel, heart breaking and heart-warming. Beautifully written, with characters that you want to keep by your side." (Adele Parks)
"Loved it! Oh, that ending.... Ona is such a brilliant heroine and Quinn surpasses all expectations. Such a life-affirming read - love the way Monica's story brings out the best in people." (Hannah Beckerman)
"Wood writes beautifully." ( Washingtonian)
All stars
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A tale of love and human kindness when least expected. A little slow at times but overall a beautiful depiction of the small things in life meaning much much more.

The One-in-a-Million Boy

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Most books I have enjoyed on audible. Some I have really loved, and a very few I have not liked. But this book is quite something else. I just adored it, and am so sorry it is now finished. The characters will live with me for ever - they are all wonderfully drawn, even the minor ones. It is mainly the stories of three main characters, drawn into one story, all interacting and affecting each other deeply. It did make me cry, but it is a beautiful story.

At first I did find some of the descriptive narration a little difficult to follow at times; but do not let this put you off. It is superbly narrated, with all the different voices and characterisation shining through. I am very pleased that I listened to this book, rather than reading - not something that I always find.

I shall certainly listen to it again - and again in the future.

Just simply superb

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An amazing read that focus on death and sorrow . I was working truly moved to by this story.

Simply amazing

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A story of human frailty and love, of many depths. Well read with humour and accent.

A beautiful story

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This is wonderful story of several unlikely friendships: between an 11 year old boy who I think is aitistic; a 104 year old very independent lady; and the boy's parents, and the complex relationships of all of them.
Beautifully written and excellently narrated.
A truly one in a million story which I will certainly listen to again.
Just beautiful.

An amazing story of friendships

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