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Who They Was
- Narrated by: Gabriel Krauze
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
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Who They Was
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Summary
Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2020
A Spectator Book of the Year
Who They Was is an electrifying autobiographical British novel: a debut that truly breaks new ground and shines a light on lives that run on parallel but wildly different tracks.
This life is like being in an ocean. Some people keep swimming towards the bottom. Some people touch the bottom with one foot, or even both, and then push themselves off it to get back up to the top, where you can breathe. Others get to the bottom and decide they want to stay there. I don’t want to get to the bottom because I’m already drowning.
This is a story of a London you won’t find in any guidebooks.
This is a story about what it’s like to exist in the moment, about boys too eager to become men, growing up in the hidden war zones of big cities - and the girls trying to make it their own way.
This is a story of reputations made and lost, of violence and vengeance - and never counting the cost.
This is a story of concrete towers and blank-eyed windows, of endless nights in police stations and prison cells, of brotherhood and betrayal.
This is about the boredom, the rush, the despair, the fear and the hope.
This is about what’s left behind.
Critic reviews
"An astonishingly powerful book. Krauze is an immense new talent." (Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love)
"A timely and vital exploration into London's violence crisis by someone who experienced the sharp end of it. I cannot conjure another work which captures this culture in such depth - or with such brutal honesty - as only lived experience can tell. This is a literary rendering of the Top Boy generation tackling the expected themes of drugs, violence, poverty and social justice - and the unexpected - family, futility and fragility. Krauze's voice is stuck in my head and it is an authentic voice of the streets." (Graeme Armstrong, author of The Young Team)
"Gabriel Krauze is an unbelievably talented writer. No one manages to blend 'literary beauty' and 'an uncomfortable feeling that he's actually quite scary' like him." (Joel Golby)
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What listeners say about Who They Was
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- Che Curtis
- 12-07-23
Amazing
Really enjoyed listening to this-performance is excellent and story utterly compelling. Highly recommend it.
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- Mr P.
- 08-09-20
A dark London story.
The story was so deep and harrowing with a sadness that lingers through the pages. A captivating story that doesn't leave you long after the covers are closed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-09-20
Astonishing and addictive.
I don't think I'll ever forget this book. An incredible debut describing life in a part of London (predominantly South Kilburn) you rarely see or hear represented. Authentic and compelling, I couldn't get enough. GK is a rare talent
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- masteryehudi
- 07-10-20
incredibly impactful
not for everyone, but an incredibly impactful and coherent novel. highly original. unique voice. also has one of the best uses of a Bob Dylan quote I've come across
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- Amazon Customer
- 22-01-22
Real
One of the most authentic novels I've ever read. It's semi-autobiographical so doesn't have bombastic plot twists but the author's voice and ability to place you in the scene right next to him completely negates the need for over the top moments. Must read for sure!
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- Amazon Customer
- 31-12-21
gritty and real but?
Struggled with the language at times but it was worth the effort. I did find the absence of remorse difficult - perhaps we are supposed to accept that this way of life, these victims of circumstances, this institution excuses remorse, excuses morality - it does not.
Gripping and compelling with a language every bit as poetic and powerful as Shakespeare in its own way
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- snoopy
- 06-02-22
Listen and learn
Gabriel Krauze is brilliant new voice in literature and if we want to try to understand the gulf between our lives and those of young people who live ‘the road life’ involved in extreme and unpredictable violence then Gabriel is a good person to teach us. He describes a depressing and dark way of life but in often beautiful language and imagery. He is also a talented narrator for Audible patrons. Great young talent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Katy Rose
- 28-10-21
Gritty
loved it, the use of language and the way it goes from the streets of London to such descriptive scenes in the blink of an eye. A true account of this person's life.
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- Dee Roddy
- 21-11-20
Brutal yet beautiful
superbly written and read - a heart twisting blend of cruelty and tenderness - an important book that should have made the Booker shortlist. recommend unreservedly .
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- Kindle Customer
- 19-09-20
Brilliant
An unflinching and honest book with such crisp and fresh narration. It was both exhilarating and exhausting but I couldn't stop once started. I can't recommend it more highly.
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