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The Party

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The Party

By: Elizabeth Day
Narrated by: Greg Wagland, Stephanie Racine
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AN OBSERVER BOOK OF THE YEAR

A gripping story of betrayal, privilege and hypocrisy, set in the unassailable heart of the British establishment.

‘A terrifying, hilarious, brilliantly written original with a wit to die for’ Phoebe Waller-Bridge

‘As the train pressed on, I realised that my life was in the process of taking a different direction, plotted according to a new constellation. Because, although I didn't know it yet, I was about to meet Ben and nothing would ever be the same again.’

Martin Gilmour is an outsider. When he wins a scholarship to Burtonbury School, he doesn’t wear the right clothes or speak with the right kind of accent. But then he meets the dazzling, popular and wealthy Ben Fitzmaurice, and gains admission to an exclusive world. Soon Martin is enjoying tennis parties and Easter egg hunts at the Fitzmaurice family’s estate, as Ben becomes the brother he never had.

But Martin has a secret. He knows something about Ben, something he will never tell. It is a secret that will bind the two of them together for the best part of 25 years.

At Ben’s 40th birthday party, the great and the good of British society are gathering to celebrate in a haze of champagne, drugs and glamour. Amid the hundreds of guests – the politicians, the celebrities, the old-money and newly rich – Martin once again feels that disturbing pang of not-quite belonging. His wife, Lucy, has her reservations too. There is disquiet in the air. But Ben wouldn’t do anything to damage their friendship.

Would he?

‘The twists and turns that the novel takes are never predictable and the novel becomes as unsettling as it is involving. One of those books that a person reads in one day because you absolutely have to know how it turns out’ John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

©2017 Elizabeth Day (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers
Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting
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Critic reviews

‘Think Brideshead Revisited meets The Talented Mr Ripley with a dash of The Riot Club. I couldn't put it down’ Louise O’Neill, author of Asking For It

‘An exhilarating and gripping psychological thriller about obsession, betrayal, jealousy and class distinctions. Elizabeth Day’s writing is impeccable, suspenseful and clever. I couldn’t put this down!’ Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

‘Superb – clever, gripping, psychologically acute’ Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us

‘What will probably be my book of the year … I loved it’ Sinead Crowley, Irish Independent

'Fast out of the traps, compelling and infinitely believable: but what really got me about The Party was the writing. Stunning' Susie Steiner, author of Missing, Presumed

‘A well-paced slow-burner of a literary thriller – think Donna Tartt’s The Secret History or Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty… The Party is a gripping page-turner’ Observer

‘Devious, witty, thrilling' Refinery 29

‘Skilfully constructed, suspenseful narrative … It’s a smart, wittily written riff on class, privilege and power’ Mail on Sunday

‘Echoes of The Secret History and The Talented Mr Ripley thrum through Elizabeth Day’s pacey fourth novel… jolly fun’ Sunday Times

'A sharp, stylish and witty as the perfect guest. Beware: you'll be up far too late’ Lucie Whitehouse, author of Before We Met

‘Elizabeth Day's latest novel is sinister and seductive and nothing short of breathtaking’ Francesca Seagal, author of The Innocents

‘This is a dark and compelling book of lifelong obsessions, jealousies and neuroses … I left this book wanting to read more of Day’s other work’ Guardian

‘I can’t recommend it highly enough’ Aine Toner, Women’s Way

‘The Party is a compelling read, but it’s a lot more than a page turner… We may have seen a hundred stories like this on the news, but Elizabeth Day’s perfectly pitched dialogue and vivid prose brings it all to life’ Catherine Chanter, author of The Well

All stars
Most relevant
Great writing. Excellent narration. Gripping storyline. Fascinating characters. Disappointing end? Yes maybe, but only because I wanted Ben finally to get his come- uppance…

Brilliant but disturbing

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Intriguing mystery unfolds along with the unravelling of two very interesting characters. Couldn't stop listening! Brilliantly read by two outstanding actors. Really enjoyed it!

Great story!

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This book was given to me by a friend who told me it "was excellent" i read it very quickly ( for me) aided by part listening on Audible ( excellent narration)
I would give it 9/10 ( leaving a rare 10/10 for such classics as " Any Human Heart ")
After finishing the book I've read a review by the Guardian which is mixed labelling it bleak and with too many nasty characters. That review also contains many spoilers in my view something that shouldn't be done.
I am very impressed by Elizabeth Days writing as she has managed to write much of it from a mans mindset ( Martin) . Her character description of Lucy too is excellent .
The main character Martin is deeply flawed with closet homosexuality a stubborn cold lack of love for his mother ( herself a flawed character ) and lives his life as an outsider who cannot connect with others including Lucy his poor wife who tries hard to love him and to understand how/why his mind ticks so badly .
Martin loves his wealthy privileged friend Ben and that loyalty and love is the root of the book and culminates in events at the party that cause him to be interviewed by 2 junior police officers ; the first chapter of the book is set in the interview room giving the reader deliberate information that something serious happened at the Party .
Its bleak with excellent character analysis of many flawed people . I thought it a page turner , well written so i have converted my 9/10 to five stars rather than four - its not as good as Any Human Heart but its knocking on the door .
I will certainly read another of Elizabeth Days books .

Excellent Book and Narration

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I can't say I particularly enjoyed this book, I can't tell if the narration or the way the main character was written that made it seem stiff and uncomfortable. I felt like it went into a lot of unnecessary detail in places which detracted from the story. I only listened to the end to see what happened and was a bit disappointed; the story seemed kind of familiar and the overall twist/outcome unsurprising.

Neutral

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Excellent read, excellent narration. Cleverly constructed story of relationships, Damaged by life they follow their goals, careless of others. Very interesting insights.

Good story telling

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