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Promise

By: Sarah Armstrong
Narrated by: Leith McPherson
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Publisher's Summary

When a new family moves in next door, it takes Anna just two days to realise something is very wrong. She can hear their five-year-old daughter Charlie crying, then sees injuries on the little girl which cannot be ignored. Anna reports the family to the police and social services but when no one comes to Charlie's aid, Anna understands that she is alone with her fears for the child's life.

So when Charlie comes to her door asking for help, the only thing Anna can think to do is take the girl and run.

Raising delicate but deeply felt questions about our individual responsibility for the children around us, Promise is a novel that obliges the listener to ask: if Charlie were my neighbour, what would I do?

©2016 Sarah Armstrong (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Promise

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Suspenseful, heart-rending story of love

This book probes a moral dilemma. A child is being abused and the neighbour can't sit by and let it happen.The determination of Anna to rescue and keep this child safe from child abuse is laudable especially as it disrupts and endangers her own life. As a reader, I am hoping Anna will get away with her choice. The suspense is intense. These characters are beautifully drawn and believable. I especially enjoyed the north coast landscapes which were evocatively described. I loved listening to it being read aloud with such dramatic flair that it felt like I'd watched it as a film. This book would make a dynamic TV serial for the ABC. I heartily recommend this book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping, moving and brave

What did you like most about Promise?

It takes the subject in a daring new direction and gets you questioning how you'd behave in a similar situation. Would you be as brave and as foolhardy as Anna to protect a child.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the writer shifts your sympathies constantly over Anna's choices. Sometimes you're on her side, other times not. It resist sentimentality and obvious solutions - also the descriptions of the bush are evocative and the characters well rounded.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All the scenes in the bush.

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

It could well be, I was always keen to tune in when I managed to and finished it pretty quickly.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed both the book and the reading of it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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simply stunning from start to finish

What did you like most about Promise?

I suppose for me I found the main character someone I could relate to and that helped me to form a clear picture in my mind of the story. I found it was well written and engaging I could see it all clearly and after finishing it's still at the front of my mind. This book made an impression. I'm generally disappointed by endings but I felt this one fit. A great story from start to end. Lots of layers or grey and cause to think I loved the main characters insight into her own flaws too very real. Just a great book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anna. I could relate to her and not because of any circumstance but from the way she thinks and acts and tries to justify things to herself but has enough awareness to be realistic. She deals with a lot of judgement but follows what she feels she has to do and makes the best of it. I felt I was along for the ride and I felt her being torn in different directions. I like to have understanding of why the character acts the way they do. It's fine to be surprised and not see things coming but after ta happened o need to understand how that person got to that point and this character was written beautifully and even when she did things I didn't agree with or wouldn't have done I could see why she had to do it that way. Just a lovely character

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

This is my first one and I loved it. She brought life to all the characters esp the voice of Anna

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many. Not always the big things but the quiet reflection of Anna's. Very intense story and moving from start to end.

Any additional comments?

I have always read a lot of books and it's rare that a book catches my attention as this one has. Best book I've read in years and years. The characters and places came to life as I listened. Perfect mix of telling the story and character reflection. I could not put it down. Not so much because I wanted to know what happened. But I wanted to know how the characters dealt and grew and changed. Well worth a listen or read. An unexpected rare gem of a book

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.