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The Stopping Places cover art

The Stopping Places

By: Damian Le Bas
Narrated by: Damian Le Bas
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Summary

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Stopping Places, written and read by Damian Le Bas.

BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week.

'I needed to get to the stopping places, so I needed to get on the road. It was the road where I might at last find out where I belonged.'

Damian Le Bas grew up surrounded by Gypsy history. His great-grandmother would tell him stories of her childhood in the ancient Romani language: the places her family stopped and worked, the ways they lived, the superstitions and lore of their people. But his own experience of life on the road was limited to Ford Transit journeys from West Sussex to Hampshire to sell flowers.

In a bid to better understand his Gypsy heritage, the history of Britain's Romanies and the rhythms of their life today, Damian sets out on a journey to discover the atchin tans, or stopping places - the old encampment sites known only to Travellers. Through winter frosts and summer dawns, from horse fairs to Gypsy churches, neon-lit lay-bys to fern-covered banks, Damian lives on the road, somewhere between the romanticised Gypsies of old and their much-maligned descendants of today.

In this powerful and soulful debut, Damian le Bas brings the places, characters and stories of his to bold and vigorous life.

©2018 Damian Le Bas (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about The Stopping Places

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Fantastic

If the subject interests you, this book is fabulous. A wonder personal introspective and history / story of the Roymani in the UK

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A must listen

Fab narration and accurate content delivered through short story chapters. Delivered with genuine emotion

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A window another world view

Provides an absorbing window on a vital but neglected element in the tapestry of people in the British Isles.

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great read

I came to this book wanting to listen to a book about British Romanis (owing to my Grandad being one and me know next to nothing about what that was or meant - a common thread in these reviews). I can't say that I got the history lesson I was initially seeking and it took me quite a while to realise what I was listening to but once I did, I realised I was enjoying it a lot 👍

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The Stopping Places.

I so enjoyed this book ,it was unusual and well presented. I look forward to listening again. Very glad I decided to buy it. :)

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Wonderful, lyrical & evocative

Thoroughly enjoyed sharing your wonderful, lyrical & evocative journey, thank you, will look forward to future ramblings

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Evocative and honest

Evocative and honest telling of a man’s quest to find his place in a world which - on the whole - still struggles to allow his people their rightful claim to the earth. Loved hearing Damian speak his native tongue. His words will stay with me for a long time.

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Enjoyable audio book

An enjoyable journey and beautifully narrated by the author. Gives an insight into the language and life.

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The title intrigued me..

Corker of a book! Interesting, well written and hard to put down. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Can well recommend

First heard some highlights on book of the week R4. The full edition is really enjoyable and unravels the secret ways of the true travelling community that are still practiced. Really good narration by the author. Enjoy :)

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2 people found this helpful