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The Choke cover art

The Choke

By: Sofie Laguna
Narrated by: Danielle Baynes
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Publisher's Summary

Abandoned by her mother as a toddler, only occasionally visited by her volatile father and raised solely by her tormented Pop, Justine finds sanctuary in The Choke, a place where the banks of the Murray River are so narrow they can almost touch.

Although Justine doesn't know it, her father is a menacing criminal, and the world she is exposed to is one of great peril to her. She must make sense of it on her own - and when she eventually does, she knows what she has to do....

©2017 Sofie Laguna (P)2017 W. F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about The Choke

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Neither story nor narrator were great

I found this book slightly infuriating, and while I get that the author was trying to convey a very naive character whose upbringing didn’t afford her a lot of smarts, it was just too much. The last 20% of the book seemed so far removed from the beginning, and really just out of character and kind of ridiculous.
I disliked the narrator’s voice from the very beginning and felt like she made Justine sound even less intelligent than was intended by the author.
I ended up returning this book. The other reviews made me think it’d be great but it’s one of the worst i’ve read/heard in i don’t know how long.

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9 people found this helpful

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

Brilliant!

This was one of those books that I really didn’t want to end. Sophie Laguna’s ability to take us into the lives of these people is just brilliant.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Compelling story, with a unique voice

A deeply human story, sometimes ugly, yet told beautifully in the voice of Justine, a most engaging young narrator.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Well done Sofie!

A child's life should never be like this! The voices that tell this tale are real voices, I believed every word they uttered, I felt the disappointments as though they were mine. I was viewing a child's world through their eyes and from their perspective. Thoroughly captivating, in a thoroughly Australian landscape, so cleverly evocative of a time not so very long ago. And the ending is powerful!! Highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great 'read'

I really liked the story. My only niggle was the singing throughout. That was annoying.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.

Really moving story about how vulnerable children can be. Great characters and story. This book made me think a lot. Also loved listening to Sofie Laguna's book The Eye of the Sheep on Audible.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Absolutely loved this!

This book reminded me of Melina Marchetta's early work. Loved all of the Australian references.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Sad story

The Eye of the Sheep is one of my favourite stories so I bought this book.
This is a very sad story and the writing style makes it very realistic.

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

Amazing narration of a truly heart-melting tale

Despite the heavy emotional themes this story weaves, the author has woven light beauty through her words; giving a naive yet insightful voice to the protagonist, Justine. I revelled in her unlikely friendship and was distressed by her circumstances. This child falls through the cracks, is plunged in the depths of despair and alone. It has me questioning how many others live this life? The Choke at times clogs with the low-life’s actions, behaviours and comments then acts of human kindness restore faith in humanity. The narrator has me convinced I was listening to a child’s voice. Even with this emotional load, it is a story I didn’t want to stop listening to and feel it will stay with me for a very long time. Brilliant!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed it very much

Loved it, it was challenging to listen at times and sad. Justine is inspiring 👏 🙂

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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.