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An Unlikely Prisoner

How an Eternal Optimist Found Hope in Myanmar’s Most Notorious Jail

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An Unlikely Prisoner

By: Sean Turnell
Narrated by: Sean Turnell
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About this listen

For 650 days Sean Turnell was held in Myanmar's terrifying Insein Prison on the trumped-up charge of being a spy. In An Unlikely Prisoner he recounts how an impossibly cheerful professor of economics, whose idea of an uncomfortable confrontation was having to tell a student that their essay was 'not really that good', ended up in one of the most notorious prisons in South-East Asia. And how he not only survived his lengthy incarceration, but left with his sense of humour intact, his spirit unbroken and love in his heart.

©2023 Sean Turnell (P)2023 Penguin Random House Australia Audio Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

'Australia's most unlikely political prisoner...is known as a person of deep optimism, bubbling enthusiasm and infectious warmth.' Melissa Crouch, Sydney Morning Herald
All stars
Most relevant  
I love how honest Sean was. Mixing the tragic situation he and so many others were in with a lightheartedness that helped you get through. I
Enjoyed going through this journey with Sean as if he was telling me the story face to face.

Real

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I was fortunate enough to meet Sean in the early 1990’s and I have seen him briefly over the years. Every time I see and interact with Sean, it is memorable. Even though Sean is intellectually elite, Sean is grounded. Sean knows instantly who you are, when and how he met you and he probably knows how many times he has spoken with you!

Sean takes genuine interest in you as an individual and draws inspiration from everyone he meets. This is why I know that this account of Sean’s harrowing experience is ‘authentic Sean Turnell’. I waited until this book was published on Audible because I wanted to hear it all from Sean. This book was considered, thoughtful and organised and Sean spoke from the heart on an experience that should be a work of fiction, but sadly isn’t…..

I loved the inclusion of Sean’s wife, Ha Vu, narrating her letters throughout the Audible rendition. I followed Sean’s traumatic experience closely in the press and asked repeatedly about any additional news from one of his closest friends. It was so good that Sean and Ha Vu knew that so many of us were thinking of them from afar.

‘An Unlikely Prisoner ’ and indeed the everyday life of Sean Turnell, is just so different from the life that most of us live. For this reason, ‘An Unlikely Prisoner ’ is a must read.  It will make you realise how lucky you are to have been born and raised in a country like Australia and the Book gives rare insight into the unique leadership of Myanmar’s Daw Suu, who strives to establish ongoing Democracy for her people.

Thank you Sean Turnell and Ha Vu for sharing this astonishing account of Sean’s unjust and horrific incarceration. I have now begun to understand the plight of Myanmar and I believe that Sean has fulfilled Daw Suu’s request to “Share our Story”.  

Many Thanks. Richard Pinker
 
 

In every aspect this was authentic Sean Turnell

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I actually pre ordered this book when I heard it coming to audible as i am close friends of a relative of Sean Turnell and wasn’t sure what I would be getting into when I first started listening, like many I tried to keep up with Sean’s story as it unfolded on the news. The book is simply brilliant, I found myself chuckling on my train ride to work at the surprising amount of humour in the mostly serious, tense and confronting book. Sean’s reading of his work was fantastic a kind and gentle voice that was made for telling stories. Once again the book is brilliant and i recommend anyone give it a listen.

Couldn’t stop listening to it

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Thank you professor Turnell for sharing your story. It has been emotional and sad read for me and hits it home. 😥

Honest story

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I was certain the subject matter was going to be worth listening to. I tried three or four times to re-engage with this book but could not reach the end. Sean's story is important to be told but someone else should have told it and narrated it. Disappointed.

Noble story with high expectations

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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.