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Vacant Possession
- Narrated by: Sandra Duncan
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
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Summary
From the double Man Booker Prize-winner, a savagely funny tale that revisits the characters from the much-loved Every Day is Mother’s Day.
Muriel Axon is about to re-enter the lives of Colin Sidney and Isabel Field. It is 10 years since her last tangle with them, but for Muriel this is not time enough. There are still scores to be settled, truths to be faced and vengeance to be wreaked.
Critic reviews
"Hilary Mantel's wit is wonderful and startlingly nasty" ( Sunday Times)
What listeners say about Vacant Possession
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Norma Miles
- 14-02-23
"Sink or swim."
I so enjoy Mantel's writing, the way her words slice together, the visual pictures she creates. Vacant Possession is a follow on piece to Every Day is Mother's Day, which, sadly, I have not read: sad!y as there must be so much background which would have enhanced the fuller understanding of this story despite the relevant essentials being carefully written in. This is a story of obsessions and the cyclical nature of lives and attempts to break the cycle and create a fresh start. The story is told from various points of view and it becomes increasingly difficult to hold on to who, or what, is happening as the pace grows more frenetic as the end approaches. Um - I think I need to read that last chapter again.
A good narrator is essential for this book: with so much told in conversation, the ability to give a different voice to all of the protagonists is also essential. And Sandra Duncan's performance is superb, each character differentiated, the text clearly articulated and fast paced without being rushed, just the right amount of emotion injected into the sentences without a sense of sickly domesticity. A very fine left and a pleasure to hear.
This is not my usual reading genre but what a delight this book turned out to be and one I'd not hesitate to recommend.
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- marina
- 23-10-20
Brilliant!
A brilliant sequel to the equally entertaining 'Every Day is Mother's Day'. Sharp, funny and poignant. Mantel is a wonderful writer who creates unforgettable characters. I did not want it to end.
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1 person found this helpful
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- r
- 07-01-23
Brilliant/ exiting/
Really exiting, funny family thriller. Excellent for anyone who loves great stories perfectly written. Got through this in less than a week
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- rob y
- 30-01-22
Great story
The best book I have read in a very long time. Very unsettling. Very interesting characters.
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- Helen
- 01-03-24
Stunning
Hilarious Mantel was a brilliant writer, and the appreciation of her use of language adds another large layer to the plot.
I had been eager to find out what happened to Muriel and the Sidneys after Mother's Day, and there they were, all in her former home where the 'accumulated misery bounced off the walls'.
I never had any idea where the plot was going, but it was a rollicking ride with it!
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- anthony
- 13-02-16
Highly enjoyable
If you could sum up Vacant Possession in three words, what would they be?
Black macabre amusing
Any additional comments?
Very enjoyable sequal - to every day is Mother's Day - digging deep into the horrors of suburbia
Sandra Duncan adds depth to the characters really helping to visualise their characters - excellent pace and tone
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2 people found this helpful
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- timothy
- 12-02-19
Black but humorous
A rather bleak tale but moments of laugh out loud dialogue saves this from being merely macabre. Hillary Mantel is such a good writer - the book keeps you on your toes.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Jade
- 12-07-23
Fantastic book
Thoroughly weird but compelling stories. I’m glad I read Everyday is Mothers Day first because Vacant Possession follows on.
One thing I will say the last 2 Chapter’s lost me somewhat I probably need to go over them again.
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1 person found this helpful
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- DAVID
- 03-12-15
A black comical sequel to peculiar opener
If you could sum up Vacant Possession in three words, what would they be?
I disagree with the previous review which suggested the ending ruined the whole tale: the ending leaves the dangling threads exactly where they should be - outrageously weird - it's the denouement of a layered and blackly hilarious sequel.Complex. Witty. Clever.A wonderful turn of phrase - I wish I had it in print so that I could more easily reread & savour some of those pithy, crafted sentences.Bravo.A gem.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-04-23
Depressing and sad
Very well read despite the dreadful story with no joy in it at any point
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