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The Other Son
- Narrated by: Imogen Church
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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What listeners say about The Other Son
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ann D
- 30-05-16
Fabulous!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely! I found it truly difficult to turn it off and finished it within 24 hours.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I loved all of the characters, except Ken.
What about Imogen Church’s performance did you like?
It was faultless.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I am not inclined to cry in response to a book, but I did cry listening to this one. I was moved to tears at Matt's birthday present (I'll say no more to avoid spoilers). I was also quite moved at other moments.
Any additional comments?
This is the best story of family life I have read/listened to. It very effectively reveals the complexies and multiple perspectives to be found in family dynamics. It also shows the powerful impact of nurture (nature, nurture) upon the individual, whether that is on the developing child or on an adult in a long marriage.
13 people found this helpful
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- dc
- 17-12-16
Worth the time
Where does The Other Son rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I liked this book and didn't find it to be a waste of my time. It kept my attention and the narration did not bother me thereby taking away from the story.
What other book might you compare The Other Son to, and why?
I would not know what to compare this book to but it is a book that was written well enough that it did not need 'twists' or surprises to carry it.
Have you listened to any of Imogen Church’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I did look for her other performances and shall buy some books when I see one I think I shall like. She has a lovely voice and accent.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I don't know what a 'tag' line is.
Any additional comments?
I totally enjoyed this book and it's narrator and I am quite picky. It is not one of these cheap, quickly written and sold for 99p books that are all advertising.
5 people found this helpful
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- Pete
- 20-05-16
Amazing!
Nick Alexander never fails to impress me as an author and The Other Son is no exception. There is a serious heart to this story with some important issues being addressed but, as always with Nick's books, I left the book with more concern about my friends, the characters. Don't expect an action-packed novel, although it does have its dramatic moments. Nick's real gift is in the construction of believable situations with well-rounded characters. Be prepared not to read a story so much as to live within the story for a while.
I also have to complement Imogen Church for the narration. Imogen manages to make the Canadian character sound Canadian rather than American which is most unusual
Highly recommended.
5 people found this helpful
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- Bernice
- 09-08-16
Heartwarming!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Other Son to be better than the print version?
I have not listened to any other stories by Imogen Church and only ordered this because it was recommended and I wanted a change to my usual books. Initially I thought the story to be slow, but the characters became better rounded and the plot picked up.
I really enjoyed this!
What did you like best about this story?
It has unexpected twists to the story that took me by surprise.
Have you listened to any of Imogen Church’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I have never listened to any other books by this author, but there is a free Christmas sequel. I suspect this is because the story has a bit of an abrupt ending and you are left wondering what happened next.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Matt's birthday present. Touching!
Any additional comments?
Highly recommended. I did not listen to it in one go - it is too long for that, but it was unputdownable.
Enjoy.
(Let me know if you found this review helpful by ticking one of the boxes below.)
10 people found this helpful
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Overall
- hazanne
- 23-12-16
The other son
Loved this book . Heartwarming and sad by turns and spot on with family relationships.
4 people found this helpful
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- g
- 13-11-16
A bit too close for comfort.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It has to be Alice.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Alice and Bruno having supper together.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, like I said bought back many bad memories so needed a few breaks.p
Any additional comments?
For me it was very cathartic.
4 people found this helpful
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- Lynne E.
- 29-08-19
Different
This wasn’t my usual kind of book and I really don’t know why I chose it but I’m so glad that I did. It made me laugh out loud and catch my breath with shock in places. I will be definitely be listening to more Nick Alexander and hopefully Imogen Church too who is a fabulous narrator. Don’t miss it.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 10-08-20
Great story
After a bit of difficulty getting into this book I really enjoyed it. I would love it if there was a sequel as I felt that there was still a lot to tell.
1 person found this helpful
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- Rebecca
- 02-02-19
The first 6 hours were dire.
Far too much time setting the initial scene which was miserable, I kept thinking it would get better which eventually after a plateau that was bearable, it did! It improves in the last 3rd of the book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Teresa evans
- 25-02-21
The other son
This is a really good book I just listened all the way through I loved it. Narrator was brilliant worth a listen
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- Ann
- 06-11-16
Wonderfully Done!
An ingenuously crafted story with an emotional ending that caught me quite off guard and somewhat stunned! A book I won't soon forget! So well done! I loved it!
And, as always, Imogen Church does a masterful job!
3 people found this helpful
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- Mistsofjade
- 22-09-20
🤏Another Nuclear Family Story👌
A woman is married to an abusive husband and has 2 boys (grew up knowing and witnessing the abuse).
One son is married with 2 kids, (whom are spoiled brats) spoiled himself, self centered, workaholic & rich.
The other son is gay (afraid at first to tell his family), caring, kindhearted & messed up emotionally because of their Dad's abuse. Clearly loves & cares about his mother.
She decides after many years, she is done with the abuse & after witnessing her good friend getting away from her husband...She decides she wants, needs, can & will get away too.
She enlists her sons to help, but will they believe she really is done?
Will they both help her?
Will Ken (her husband) let her go?
What do they all remember & choose not to remember?
Will they take a chance at happiness or is it to late?
A story with love, loss, self awareness, self confidence, anger, fear, strength & a good look at what's inside that's needed to survive.
The only bad thing I can say, is at times it does tend to be OVER developed when it comes to the characters, thoughts & actions. By doing so, it can get a bit tedious & at times drawn out towards the inevitable going ons.
If you can make it through the parts that can put you to sleep, then sure why not give the story a try.
Imogen gets 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 as always!! She does great in all her narrations. No mistakes, perfect emotions where needed and voice changes.
SHE makes it very easy to get attached to all the characters, even the villains that you will love hate.
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- mlfarr
- 07-07-20
Narrator terrible with accents.
Good narrator except poor when trying to use Russian. Almost made me shut it off.
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- Woods
- 31-05-20
Marvelous!
Was so easy to get wrapped up in this wonderful book. My first with this author but look forward to reading more. Good things to remember!
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- Monkey-sue
- 20-05-20
loved this story
found it because I love the narrator. now I love the writer as well. it was full of heart.