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Tiny Sunbirds Far Away

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Tiny Sunbirds Far Away

By: Christie Watson
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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About this listen

Winner of the Costa first novel award.

'Everything changed after Mama found Father lying on top of another woman.'

Blessing and her brother Ezikiel adore their larger-than-life father, their glamorous mother and their comfortable life in Lagos. But all that changes when their father leaves them for another woman. Their mother is fired from her job at the Royal Imperial Hotel - only married women can work there - and soon they have to quit their air-conditioned apartment to go and live with their grandparents in a compound in the Niger Delta.

Adapting to life with a poor countryside family is a shock beyond measure after their privileged upbringing in Lagos. Told in Blessing's own beguiling voice, Tiny Sunbirds Far Away shows how some families can survive almost anything. At times hilarious, always poignant, occasionally tragic, it is peopled with characters you will never forget.

©2011 Christie Watson (P)2012 Quercus Publishing Plc Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction Africa Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"This is not a bleak book: there is humour and love, especially in the growing relationship between Blessing and her grandmother, a traditional midwife. Absorbing and passionate." (The Guardian)
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This story set in Nigeria is so readable and listening to it read by Adjoa Andoh was so lovely and the imagery and feeling it produced was very real. I enjoyed the characters of Blessing and her Grandmother and Celestine especially. Blessings mother although present throughout the novel always seemed to be on the fringes of her life and maybe had difficulty showing and or responding to emotions. The political climate and time of the novel made it difficult to exist and the life of Ezikiel was very difficult as a result. The fact that the story was told through the eyes of Blessing made it more enjoyable.
The role of Grandmother as the local midwife and what that entailed was very interesting to me as a midwife and I really enjoyed these sections of the story.
Life was hard for women and the domestic violence elements of the story Celestine endured were not pleasant especially when they were considered necessary by other female members of the family.
The narration was fantastic and totally made the story I so so enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

Imagery from spoken word evoke strong feelings

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I was enchanted by this book. One of the best I have read / listened to in several years. The characters are extremely well crafted and the plot is full of surprises. I can't wait for Christie Watson to bring out another, perhaps a sequel. Adjoa Andoh's narration was superb, bringing the characters to life. This book made me feel that the Niger Delta is the first place and the last place on earth that I should want to visit.

A beautifully written and narrated book

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I bought this book as part of an audible offer, and am very glad I did. It is well written and beautifully read by Adjoa Andoh. As other reviewers have noted, it covers many of the issues affecting Nigeria, (and many other places), including Western exploitation, armed rebellion, religious conflict, domestic violence and FGM. This breadth of scope is my main criticism - it does sometimes feel as though the author was trying to cover every issue, and the plot is therefore sometimes contrived. Also note - it is not for the squeamish! But overall, well worth the listen. NB For more on West Africa (in a slightly different area and time) I would highly recommend Half of a Yellow Sun, with the same narrator.

An insight into modern Nigeria

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What made the experience of listening to Tiny Sunbirds Far Away the most enjoyable?

The story made you feel like you were there taking part or at least watching on the side lines.

What other book might you compare Tiny Sunbirds Far Away to, and why?

None. It was one that stands alone. Also it was very well read.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

None I loved it all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes definitely.

Any additional comments?

To have an African lady read the book was a bonus.

Engulfed

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Would you consider the audio edition of Tiny Sunbirds Far Away to be better than the print version?

I love the Adjoah Andoh, she knows how to breath life into a book, I don't read fiction so I cannot tell if teh audio is better

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tiny Sunbirds Far Away?

The moment ..xxx...died! I don't want to spoil it for people yet to read/listen to the book

What does Adjoa Andoh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She attempts some african accents (which she often fails) but it brings a kind of reality to the story...she is however a very good story teller.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I had to pace myself, I need something to listen to in my daily commute to work.

Any additional comments?

The story was deep, sad, exciting , hopeful, tormenting, depressing and exhilarating at the same time. I was quite shocked to see that Chrisie Watson is a White English lady..made me wonder how she got the story but then further 'googleing' revealed her partner is a Nigerian paedicatrician...made more sense after that.

Sad but very interesting

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