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A Million Things

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A Million Things

By: Emily Spurr
Narrated by: Rebecca Bower
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About this listen

Rae is 10 years old, and she’s tough. She’s had to be: life with her mother has taught her the world is not her friend. Now suddenly her mum is gone and Rae is alone, except for her dog Splinter.

Rae can do a lot of things pretty well for a kid. She can take care of herself and Splints, stay under the radar at school and keep the front yard neat enough that the neighbours won’t get curious. But she is gnawed at by fear and sadness, haunted by the shadow of a terrible secret.

Lettie, who lives next door, might know more about Rae than she lets on. But she has her own reasons for keeping the world at arm’s length. When Rae finds out what they are, it seems like she and Lettie could help each other.

But how long can a friendship last when it’s based on secrets?

Tender, funny, heartbreaking - A Million Things is a story of grief and resilience, told with eloquent simplicity. In brave, spiky Rae, Emily Spurr has created a character you will never forget.

©2021 Emily Spurr (P)2021 W F Howes Coming of Age Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Funny

Critic Reviews

“An original and impressively assured debut. A gem of a novel.” (Graeme Simsion)

“Poignant, uplifting and beautifully written.” (Catherine Jinks)

"Direct, assured writing, hard-hitting emotion and a wonderful sense of optimism. A Million Things is a debut to treasure, with characters whose dignity shines through their struggles.” (Jock Serong)

All stars
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What an amazing story of friendship and compassion. A great read that I couldn’t put down.

Loved this book

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Raw and moving. Beautifully written and narrated. Rae is mature beyond her years and I felt as if i was right next to her, breathing every moment, every feeling, every thought. Loved it.

Brilliant story

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How do you find the words for a book so raw that you both don’t want to go on but can’t not go on, all in the same breath. Beautifully written and narrated. Loved it!

Raw and incredibly moving

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As an Australian, following the Girly Book Club reading list it has been refreshing to listen to an Australian author, an Australian setting, and an Australian narrator.
The story keeps you hanging on until the very last chapters, you think you know what will happen but I was still surprises you.
Highly recommend.

Fabulous Fine Girly Book Club

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A very easy read that kept me interested to the very end. The story kicks into gear very quickly from the start and I was unable to stop thinking about the main character and where her journey would end

Great read!

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I struggled to get into the book - it felt too raw and sad. Then as the story progresses, you fall in love with the main characters and need to know how their story ends.

A beautiful and heartbreaking story

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Loved this - it really stayed with me - a beautiful story. Highly recommend. Very enjoyable read

Memorable and beautiful

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So disappointed . Absolutely loving the book however, half way through the audio skips ahead a few seconds every minute or so. Contacted audible who helped to troubleshoot and re install but same things keeps happening. Can’t finish as it’s so frustrating.

Audio skips

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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.