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The Son-in-Law

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About this listen

From the author of the Richard & Judy Book Club pick After the Fall comes another enthralling novel.

On a sharp winter's morning, a man turns his back on prison. This is the story of Joseph, who killed his wife, Zoe. Of their three children who witnessed the event. Of Zoe's parents, Hannah and Frederick, who are bringing up the children and can't forgive or understand Joseph. They slowly adjust to life without Zoe, until the day Joseph is released from prison...

©2013 Charity Norman (P)2013 W.F. Howes Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"Will appeal to devotees of Joanna Trollope and Jodi Picoult... [Norman] is hot on their heels." ( Daily Mail)
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Most relevant

Where does The Son-In-Law rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Different. More than a just a tale. As much time spent thinking about it as listening to it.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought the characterisation was good. Sympathy with characters was switchable. There really was no real hero or heroine. These were real people, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. My general sympathy was with the murderer and anti the mother-in-law but the author was able to switch this at times. .

Which scene did you most enjoy?

No. The book is a unit.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book is very moving. A father who has lost a wife and children. A mother [and father] who have lost their daughter and want, what they see as, the best for their grandchildren. Confused children who have lost their mother and father. All these a good people, there are no baddies. We may think that they (who?) are misguided.

Any additional comments?

The author presents a problem without an easy solution. Possibly without a solution and we must form our own. My only question of the book was the introduction of a romance factor which, I felt, added an unnecessary complication. Perhaps the author realised this and rather abandoned it and I felt it added nothing. The extra character was interesting but added nothing to the essence of the book. A thought provoking book, well constructed with sympathetic development of characters. Amazingly no evil characters we can blame, just ordinary people with an extraordinary problem

Thought provoking

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This book made me laugh, cry and wish it had never finished. I thought the ‘Secrets of Strangers’ was good but this one blew that right out the water. What an incredible book. So very well written and with the most perfect narration. I can not recommend it highly enough.

Perfection

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What did you like best about this story?

This story explored close family relationships and real-life situations. The difficulties faced when living with someone suffering a mental illness. The burdens that adults can unwittingly place upon children, when they are in an impossible situation and trying to keep everyone happy.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

The character of Scarlet was brilliantly performed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Frederick was first taken ill. Made me cry. I wont give away any more details!

Any additional comments?

I would definitely recommend this book. Each chapter is from the view of a different character, this helps to paint the picture and tells the story from each one's perspective.
The only character that didnt fit in for me was Rosie. I think the story would have been better if she had been excluded from the last chapter.

A thought-provoking story, highly recommended

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Thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end. Having multiple narrators added a level that increased the enjoyment even more.

Charming and disarming

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Any additional comments?

A very clever story wrapped around a tragedy within a loving family. The narrators were wonderfully chosen. The story was amazingly crafted as it was possible to empathise equally with every member of the family. The stern Hannah would have been easy to dislike except that her standpoint was as relevantly poignant as every other character.
Basically this was a fairly simple story beautifully told. I definitely recommend it and I will certainly be listening to more by this author.

I wish I could give 6 stars.

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