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Different Class
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At St Oswald’s, a long-established boys’ grammar school in the north of England, a new year has just begun. For the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world; and Roy Straitley, the eccentric veteran Latin master, is finally – reluctantly – contemplating retirement. But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs.
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Vianne Rocher has settled down. Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, the place that once rejected her, has finally become her home. With Rosette, her 'special' child, she runs her chocolate shop in the square, talks to her friends on the river, is part of the community. Even Reynaud, the priest, has become a friend. But when old Narcisse, the florist, dies, leaving a parcel of land to Rosette and a written confession to Reynaud, the life of the sleepy village is once more thrown into disarray....
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When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud denounces her as a serious moral danger to his flock - especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. As passions flare and the conflict escalates, the whole community takes sides. Can the solemnity of the church compare with the sinful pleasure of a chocolate truffle?
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5 out of 5 stars
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Case Histories
- Jackson Brodie
- By: Kate Atkinson
- Narrated by: Susan Jameson
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 60
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 56
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Story4 out of 5 stars 57
Cambridge is sweltering, during an unusually hot summer. To Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private investigator, the world consists of one accounting sheet--"lost" on the left, "found" on the right--and the two never seem to balance. Jackson has never felt at home in Cambridge and has a failed marriage to prove it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 449
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 410
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Bravery, courage, fear, and love in a time of war. Despite their differences sisters Viann and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann is content with life in the French countryside with her husband, Antoine, and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight, and Viann finds herself isolated, so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her. As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength are tested.
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Publisher's Summary
After 30 years at St Oswald's Grammar in North Yorkshire, Latin master Roy Straitley has seen all kinds of boys come and go. Each class has its clowns, its rebels, its underdogs, its 'Brodie' boys who, whilst of course he doesn't have favourites, hold a special place in an old teacher's heart.
But every so often there's a boy who doesn't fit the mould. A troublemaker. A boy with hidden shadows inside. With insolvency and academic failure looming, a new broom has arrived at the venerable school, bringing PowerPoint, sharp suits and even sixth-form girls to the dusty corridors. But while Straitley does his sardonic best to resist this march to the future, a shadow from his past is stirring. A boy who even 20 years on haunts his teacher's dreams. A boy capable of bad things.
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Average Customer Ratings
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars8
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rod
- 19-11-2016
A deeply intriguing mystery
Award-winning British author Joanne Harris is a consummate writer, wasting nary a word as she teasingly peels back the many layers of her characters and unfolds a plot of intrigue, betrayal and friendship.
Perhaps best known internationally for her acclaimed 2000 novel Chocolat, which was turned into a film starring Johnny Depp that same year, her catalogue of writings is quite diverse.
Different Class is a dual-voiced narrative in first person, set in and around St Oswald’s Grammar School for Boys over two time periods – 1981, when we hear primarily from a disturbed young student, and 2005, when aging Latin master Roy Straitley takes the narrative reigns. Both characters reveal the unfolding mystery in both time periods, but it’s not until each side of the tale comes to a head in 2005 that their stories synchronise in a gripping finale.
In the latter time frame, St Oswald’s is struggling to overcome a recent tragedy that resulted in the death of a student and the loss of their headmaster. Steeped in tradition, the school and Straitley struggle to accept their rapidly changing world when the past comes back to haunt them and the future threatens to leave them behind. Former student Johnny Harrington is brought in as the new Head, along with his new ‘crisis team’ to rebrand and modernise the school. Twenty-four years prior, Harrington is implicated in another scandal which will result in a teacher being jailed.
The first person narrative of both storytellers is superbly realised. A single word; a throwaway comment; a simple action: all provide insight into the loveable but staid mind of Straitley, and the confused, vicious mind of the unnamed student.
The characters are brought to life with immense skill by readers Steven Pacey and Ewan Goddard respectively. Pacey, in particular, is one of the best audiobook narrators of our day. His nuanced characterisations immediately let the listener know who is speaking. Goddard has much less experience but you wouldn’t know it listening to his stellar reading. He completely embodies the vile, troubled student.
Different Class is the third book in Harris’ stories that centre around the fictional town of Malbry. It follows on directly from the first of these, Gentlemen and Players, although it is a stand-alone novel that needs no introduction. Having not read the previous two books, they’re now most certainly on the radar.
The unabridged audiobook of Different Class runs 14 hours and 55 minutes and is available from audible.com.au. It’s a compelling exposé on the place of tradition, the strength of loyalty, and the deepest, darkest secrets that can utterly destroy lives.
Bravo!
Read my full review and other audiobook reviews under the Entertainment section of glamadelaide dot com dot au.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Hardwicke
- 30-12-2017
Well worth a read.
Great story that evolves to a satisfying conclusion. Brilliantly told by both narrators. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 06-07-2019
Fabulous
I listen in the car & found myself looking forward to long drives just to continue with this novel!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sanet Odendaal
- 12-12-2016
Fantastic twist and turns!
I loved listening to this brilliant book. Full marks for narration and twisty suspense! Sublime.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachel Redford
- 09-05-2016
Fifteen hours of skilfully drip-fed darkness!
I loved this! Skilfully drip-fed to reveal the darkness, two narrative voices tell this tale of apparently buried scandal at St Oswald's Grammar School in fictional Malbry. One is Roy Straitley old-school Latin teacher who peppers his account with Latin lines, fiercely loyal to the school and his special 'Brodie boys' which are his life; and Ziggy, a boy who spent only a short time at St Oswald's but whose evil seeps through everything that happened there from that time so many years ago. The audiobook voices are just right: Straitley's strictly moral, out-dated mind-set conveyed by Stephen Pacey, and Ziggy's deluded, frightening and evil manipulation conveyed in Ewan Goddard's much higher-pitched wheedling.
St Oswald's has been enveloped and almost destroyed by terrible events which are slowly revealed: the death of a pupil and the imprisonment of a much-loved member of staff. A Crisis Team is brought in to save the school - representing all the management speak and high tech business practices loathed by Straitley. But worst of all, the new Head-in-a-suit is Harrrington, an ex-pupil whom Straitley had always disliked and distrusted. The new management is all for moving forward, but Ziggy's narrative gradually reveals the truth behind all the hideous events at St Oswald's, ensuring that the past events, far from being forgotten, continue to fester and erupt into jealousy-fuelled violence involving an increasing circle of victims - or are they perpetrators?.
It's a very complex plot and to give more away would spoil the listening, but it is no coincidence that Operation Yewtree blew up whilst Joanne Harris was writing the book. Dark themes are explored. What do you really know about what goes on in the darkness of your friends' minds? How can the abuser and the victim become entangled and change roles? Can the church, therapy or Juries be relied on to produce the truth?
Great Listening!
29 of 30 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. Caroline A. Wilde
- 25-03-2017
Superb storytelling
Listen to Gentlemen & Players first. These two stories are exceptionally well written and told. Best I've read/heard for some years. Highly recommended. Would make an outstanding and gripping TV series.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tanya
- 30-07-2016
The second book as brilliant as the first...
What did you like most about Different Class?
Everything that I loved about the first. Joanne Harris has a great ability to keep her characters engaging and the storyline flows with complete ease.
What other book might you compare Different Class to, and why?
I cannot compare really, as the title says a Different Class. Unlike many other crime novels, this one did not suddenly jump to an unbelievable conclusion to wrap it up. Well done Ms Harris
Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey and Ewan Goddard ’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I adore Steven Pacey's narrations and will read anything by him, at first I was a bit concerned about Ewan Goddard's but he actually did a really good job, and I thought the combination of them both worked well.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
No, because that would be a spoiler. Audible think of a better question than this
I was moved when it finished as I wanted to listen to more
Any additional comments?
Love love love. Brilliantly written, superb narration, great story. I do hope we get to hear from the Latin Master again............and soon
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kirstine
- 17-10-2017
Engagingly written story that gathers momentum
I was drawn into the closed world of a boys’ grammar school told alternately by Latin master Roy Straitley and an un-named, creepy pupil. Straitley is an endearing curmudgeon with a pithy turn of phrase, disdain for modern gadgetry and full of despair over the innovative methods of running the school introduced by the new headmaster brought in save the ailing establishment. The narrative switches back and forth between 1981 and 2005 with hints of a scandal in the early 80s. Gradually clues are revealed of dark secrets and the story gathers momentum. There are false leads and surprises that kept me listening intently. It becomes quite confusing near the end as the creepy former pupil’s identity is revealed and the various threads of the story are brought together.
I enjoyed the book not least because it is so well-written and most of the characters voiced by one of my favourite narrators, Steven Pacey.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jean
- 20-07-2017
Different class
Thoroughly enjoyed this.....dark at times but full of surprises as well. Brought back memories of school days and of teaching as well.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-06-2017
Another good read/listen from Joanne Harris
Would you listen to Different Class again? Why?
Probably in a while. It would be interesting to go back to the beginning already knowing what you learn at the end.
What other book might you compare Different Class to, and why?
Blue Eyes & Gentlemen & Players both have the same atmosphere and rely on things not being what they seem, or that keep you guessing
Which character – as performed by Steven Pacey and Ewan Goddard – was your favourite?
I didn't like either of the characters but the performances of Pacey and Goddard were excellent.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, but large chunks.
Any additional comments?
I did get rather fed up with the 'prodding finger' in Straitley's chest!
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- kathaleen
- 11-08-2016
Hooked from the start
Joanne Harris had me from the start with this one. The characters, especially Mr Straightly were so believable. Narrated superbly. I feel I know St Oswalds intimately. I didn't want it to end. More of this wonderful school drama please Ms Harris.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sandra Robinson
- 26-07-2016
Cleverly written
What did you like most about Different Class?
The description of the characters personality all entirely believable
What did you like best about this story?
The story invokes all of the emotions
What does Steven Pacey and Ewan Goddard bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The narrators both brilliantly portrayed the strengths and weaknesses of the characters
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were many moments all relating to the main charachter
Any additional comments?
Would have loved this to go on and on
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Carole
- 03-07-2016
Nearly as good as Gentlemen and Players
The narration of this book was very good and the story was nearly as good as Gentlemen & Players, of which it is the sequel.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sigrin
- 06-06-2018
Layered darkness
The writing of this novel was like peeling an onion, it came in layer after layer of smouldering darkness.
Steven Pacey was excellent but I really did not enjoy the voice of Ewan Goddard, his voice was nasally with little intonation.
I believe this book is part of a trilogy, this one heing the middle one. That said, I listened to it without knowing the characters but this did not spoil the enjoyment.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful