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The Salesman

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The Salesman

By: Joseph O'Connor
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
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About this listen

From the author of Shadowplay, shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize, The Costa Novel Prize and Novel of the Year winner at the An Post Irish Book Awards.

It's Dublin, June 1995, the hottest summer since records began. But Billy Sweeney, a middle-aged salesman with a failed marriage, a faltering career and a tumbledown house, has more than weather on his mind. His youngest daughter lies in a coma in hospital following a mysterious attack on the petrol station where she worked. Devastated by the unfolding consequences of that hot, violent night, frustrated by officialdom and failed by the system, Billy finally tires of seeking legal justice. He decides to take the law into his own hands....

©1998 Joseph O'Connor (P)2021 W F Howes Suspense Thriller & Suspense Law Fiction

Critic reviews

"Very near perfection...you’ll be on the edge of your seat." (Literary Review)

"Gripping and moving...a taut, expertly crafted plot.” (Guardian)

"Very near perfection. You’ll be on the edge of your seat.” (The Literary Review)
All stars
Most relevant
Interesting relationships. Too long and repetitive in middle section, could get to the point quicker.

Too long and repetitive in the middle section.

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Incredible story superbly narrated. O'Connor is a master storyteller and the picture he draws of family and social life in Dublin during the years of transition is shockingly real.
And there's also something of a parable here, crime and punishment in all it's rawness.

A work of authentic genius

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Another wonderful work of masterly storytelling. Characters with real life problems who are truly human on both sides.

characters

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