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Troubles

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Troubles

By: J.G. Farrell
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Set against the backdrop of growing tensions in Ireland in 1919, Troubles, written in 1970, is the first novel in J.G. Farrell's Empire Trilogy. Troubles is set on the east coast of Ireland, largely in the Hotel Majestic, a formerly grand building that has seen better days and now generally houses more cats than guests.

The listener is taken back to July 1919, when the 'Major' is visiting the Majestic to reunite with his fiancee Angela, the Protestant proprietor Edward Spencer's daughter. The lovers met in Brighton during the War and have since only corresponded long-distance. The welcome he receives is not quite what he expected. He quickly becomes sucked into the political and sociological ethos of the hotel and its inhabitants, and the story builds tantalisingly until its inevitable dramatic conclusion.

A touching, often very funny and yet ultimately rather sad story, which will capture the listener's heart and excite their interest with its themes of Irish politics and love, played out in an unlikely and fragile sanctuary.

The reader Sean Barrett is an Irish-born actor who has enjoyed success in the theatre, on television and in film.

 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction United Kingdom Imperialism
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Critic reviews

"It's humorously and, above all, intelligently read by the peerless Sean Barrett. I'm so grateful to have it...if you've never read Farrell, you're in for a rare treat."
"Melancholy, vivid and moving, this stunning work captures a vanishing age. Sean Barrett's beautifully modulated voice enhances the brilliance of Farrell's writing."
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed this book when I first read it more than 20 years ago but didn't expect to be as impressed as I was by this reading of it. Sean Barrett captures beautifully the crumbling world J. G Farrell creates, but behind the the gentle humour he also reveals the twisted loyalties and tragedies that affected so many lives in the Ireland of the 'Troubles' of 1916/1922.

An excellent book wonderfully read

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As with all abridged novels, something is oust in this recording. In this case, it's the poetry and humour of the original novel. However, Sean Barrett's reading is ideally suited to this novel, which has a characteristic Irish dryness and absurdity.

Excellent Novel with Some Losses Due to Being Abridged

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Would you try another book written by J. G. Farrell or narrated by Sean Barrett?

yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

the main character is a good person and very human

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

much more entertaining and dramatic

Was Troubles worth the listening time?

yes good for relaxing on holiday

Any additional comments?

great story read it

beautifully written story

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I came to this book after watching the Culture show on BBC2 recently where they had a ?Best of the Bookers? spot on the show. Their favourite book (The Siege of Krishnapur) was written in 1973 by J. G Farrell and it filled me with the desire to try him out as soon as possible as I liked the idea of trying an author completely unknown to me. Unfortunately this title was abridged but thankfully it didn?t dissuade me as I thought at could least I get an intro into his style.

I really enjoyed ?Troubles? and it has certainly left me wanting to listen to more of his work. It has a somewhat eccentric and humorous style to it and its set in the period on unrest in Ireland shortly after WW1, so gives you an interesting insight into that era at the same time.

I really liked the main character Brendon Archer and he and all the characters were wonderfully portrayed by the narrator Sean Barrett.

All I need now is some more of his titles on the site, unabridged though of course!

Great Author, Great Narrator

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...whose idea was it to interrupt the above with a tedious rendition of, and I’m guessing here, an Elgar piece. This repeated ‘theme music’ was thrown in at almost any opportunity with no concern for the writer or the narrator.
A mistake. Luckily the talent elsewhere survived this.
I’ve downloaded another by the same author and am filled with a mixture of anticipation of the writing mingled with trepidation as to the production.

Great writing and subtle, intelligent reading but...

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