When We Were Orphans cover art

When We Were Orphans

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When We Were Orphans

By: Kazuo Ishiguro
Narrated by: Michael Maloney
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About this listen

England, 1930s: Christopher Banks has become the country's most celebrated detective, his cases the talk of London society. Yet one unsolved crime has always haunted him: the mysterious disappearance of his parents, in old Shanghai, when he was a small boy.

Moving between London and Shanghai of the interwar years, When We Were Orphans is a remarkable story of memory, intrigue and the need to return.

©2014 Kazuo Ishiguro (P)2014 Faber & Faber Coming of Age Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Thriller & Suspense Fiction England Heartfelt Suspense China

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All stars
Most relevant
I nearly gave up as the initial detail in the first few chapters were quite heavy going. However (similar to Dickens novels) the detail came together and the book then became exciting excellent listening.

An interesting detailed well written read

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Would you try another book written by Kazuo Ishiguro or narrated by Michael Maloney?

Yes I would listen to another probably Remains of the Day. I thought this book started well and was intriguing then it seemed to lose its way and get rather silly at times

What will your next listen be?

I haven't decided yet

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

No

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Possibly

Any additional comments?

I found this book rather disappointing

Lost its way

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He's a great writer and this was a very good book. struggled to like the nation character though which affected my enjoyment

enjoyed it

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Really enjoyed the book and reading but very annoyed by the way audible split the book into about 125 chapters of 5 minutes! Made navigating the book very hard. Don't understand why it is split up like this, when the book is in chapters (about 20 I believe).
Please change this audible!

Audible please change the chapters

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There is something gripping in Ishiguro's writing. Always a wanted trip to an unknown destination.

Again one feels the need to race through

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