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A Terrible Kindness

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A Terrible Kindness

By: Jo Browning Wroe
Narrated by: David Dawson
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About this listen

*INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

*AN OBSERVER DEBUT OF 2022*

*AS FEATURED ON FRONT ROW*

When we go through something impossible, someone, or something, will help us, if we let them . . .

It is October 1966 and William Lavery is having the night of his life at his first black-tie do. But, as the evening unfolds, news hits of a landslide at a coal mine. It has buried a school: Aberfan. William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer, and it will be one he never forgets. His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to forget. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because - as William discovers - giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves.

Biography: Jo Browning Wroe grew up in a crematorium in Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and is now Creative Writing Supervisor at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Her debut novel, A Terrible Kindness, was shortlisted for the Bridport Peggy Chapman-Andrews award. She has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in Cambridge.

©2022 Jo Browning Wroe (P)2022 Faber Audio Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance

Critic Reviews

"It's a long time since I've read a debut novel that moved me so much." (Rachel Joyce)

"Extraordinary." (Sophie Hannah)

"A brave and tender novel." (Joanna Glen)
All stars
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Took me a while to merge myself into this very unusual novel but I’m very glad I persisted because the intrigue compelled me to listen almost without stopping as the story unfolded - deep emotional integrity and worthy of our attention, well done.

An intriguing story

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I loved the book despite the sad and confronting subplot. The narration was excellent and the Wrksh pronunciations brilliant.

Storyline plot

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The author made me feel like i was there and feeling every moment and emotion

Heartbreaking and beautiful

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This story is utterly wonderful and heartbreaking. The voice actor is incredible. I was completely immersed. Five stars

Just brilliant

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Moving between stages of William’s life works well with the pace of the story.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this and been impressed with the emotional depth of the characters.

Novel approach to storytelling

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I really enjoyed this book! I have since researched the awful tragedy behind the story and explored some of the music and choirs of Wales. A very moving experience.

Immersive

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A comprehensive portrayal of PTSD , also an insight into Family grief and misunderstanding. I enjoyed it , well narrated.

Profound.

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It kept me interested
But felt like the story could have been told in half the time.
I listened on audible,

It’s was ok

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This book was hard to put down. So original and heartwarming. Sad to finish it.

Stunning

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