The Sudden Appearance of Hope cover art

The Sudden Appearance of Hope

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The Sudden Appearance of Hope

By: Claire North
Narrated by: Gillian Burke
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About this listen

Winner of the 2017 World Fantasy Award

Claire North has been shortlisted for The Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Award

My name is Hope Arden. I am the girl the world forgets.

It started when I was 16 years old.

A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the crimes I commit - you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life tricky. It also makes me dangerous....

The Sudden Appearance of Hope is the tale of a girl no one remembers, yet her story will stay with you for ever.

©2016 Claire North (P)2016 Hachette Audio Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Heartfelt Exciting Suspense

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Critic reviews

"A mesmerising writer." (Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls)

"North's talent shines out." (The Sunday Times)

"Little short of a masterpiece." (The Independent)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Without reservation. This author writes with imagination; and without fear.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hope is the character with the flesh, and she is impossible to put aside. She grabs you from the first line and holds on until the end of the book.

Have you listened to any of Gillian Burke’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I am not aware of this narrator but feels she handles the narrative with ease and empathy.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Remember me....if you can.

Any additional comments?

This is the fourth of Claire's books I have read and have yet to be disappointed in any of them.

Another Winner

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As with "The first 15 lives of Harry August" and "Touch" the concept of this book is brilliant - both interesting and genuinely thought provoking. The story / plot is pretty good too.

But there are elements of both the writing and the narration that caused me frustration, at times. In terms of the writing, there was way too much repetition. Seriously, I actually shouted "get on with it!" whilst listening. And the lists....just so many lists. With a little less repetition and shorter lists, this could have been 3 hours shorter, with nothing lost.

The narration was pretty good in general, easy to listen to and fairly good characterisation. That is, until the Scottish accents turn up at the end, at which point it's a complete train wreck, and distracts from the ending.

I'm glad I got to the end, it made me think. But it was, at times, a struggle getting there.

Great concept, let down by execution

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Claire North has the most amazing, clever mind and, once you get through the first couple of chapters, this book grabs you and keeps you wanting to pick it up at the next available chance.
Quite long but never disappoints

Brilliantly written and read

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I liked the story and the concepts. I just found the author had done it in such a way that it seemed like the ramblings of a mad woman. I struggled to keep track of what was speech and what was thought.

I have other books by this author and they are great. Not sure what happened here though.

Good Concept. Bad Delivery.

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Started out with such promise, but after a couple of jumps in the storyline I just gave up. Difficult to follow and ridiculous sub plots that just added to the confusion. After 3/4 of the way through, I just simply up!

The only redeeming feature was the narrator. Her great selection of voices where a great help to differentiate between different characters.

Good premise, confusing storyline

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