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Flesh Wounds

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Flesh Wounds

By: Richard Glover
Narrated by: Richard Glover
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About this listen

A mother who invented her past, a father who was often absent, a son who wondered if this could really be his family...Richard Glover's favourite dinner-party game is called 'Who's Got the Weirdest Parents?' It's a game he always thinks he'll win.

There was his mother, a deluded snob who made up large swathes of her past and who ran away with Richard's English teacher, a Tolkien devotee, nudist and stuffed toy collector.

There was his father, a distant alcoholic who ran through a gamut of wives, yachts and failed dreams. And there was Richard himself, a confused teenager, vulnerable to strange men, trying to find a family he could belong to.

As he eventually accepted, the only way to make sense of the present was to go back to the past - but beware of what you might find there. Truth can leave wounds - even if they are only flesh wounds.

Part poignant family memoir, part rollicking venture into a 1970s Australia, this is a book for anyone who's wondered if their family is the oddest one on the planet. The answer: no. There is always something stranger out there.

©2015 Richard Glover (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Emotionally Gripping Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Heartfelt
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What a great story read by Richard. His characteristic sense of humour is evident as he unravels the somewhat tragic tapestry of his childhood. I laughed often at the absurdity of the situations orchestrated by his disfunctional parents knowing that they were worthy of tears as well. I appreciated Richards efforts to understand his parents and his loyalty to them in spite of everything. Glad he didn’t take after his mum and write a different story or follow his fathers path and die young.

A Family history with a Difference.

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I love Richard's self-deprecating humor and ability to make the seemingly mundane and kinda sad tale of his less than stellar childhood an entertaining listen. It wasn't an ideal upbringing but as he notes, love came from sources other than his parents to shape who he is. At least he'll always win "Who has the weirdest parents" ar dinner parties :)

wonderfully written family history

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This book aas insightful and entertaining. It had me captivated from the get go. I was in a hurry to listen at every opportunity. Thank you for sharing your story

insightful

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I really enjoyed this book and would happily listen/read it again and again. It rings so true to life.

Fantastic book! Very well written and read

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Any additional comments?

Listened to this book a few weeks ago and thoroughly recommend it. The narration is perfect which is to be expected from the person who actually wrote it! I lived in England for a large part of my life and emigrated to Australia so I can identify very easily with Richard's observations of the class system in the UK. He also makes some very poignant and truthful comments about the way in which we raise our children. I laughed out loud at parts of the book. Richard Glover is a very entertaining author and narrator. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I am going to listen to it again one day.

Very entertaining life story

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Richard, what a story you had to tell, I laughed cried and at times reflected on my own up bringing. Loved listening look forward to purchasing more of your writings.
Lisa x

Wonderful

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Would you consider the audio edition of Flesh Wounds to be better than the print version?

I study law so I do a lot of reading, so when it comes to books I am happy to listen. Also audio books lets the characters come to life through the voice of the author.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flesh Wounds?

I liked the part when Richard went back to his past and dug up his family history. However, my only wish is that he should have done it when he was 19 and then he could have met some of his now deceased relatives.

Have you listened to any of Richard Glover’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first book of Richard Glover I have listened to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were a few moments, one where his mother ran away from her birth family and took a new identity, then ran away from her son and when she wouldn't hold her first grandson.

I don't have a great relationship with my own mother so probably that's why I am saying this.

Any additional comments?

I found the book very insightful. It reminded me of Shantaram by Gregory Roberts. Their stories are tragic, however there is a quirkiness of both styles, which made them slightly entertaining.

Also on a side note, I went to ANU with Dan Glover, although I didn't study in the same course as him, I only bumped into him a handful of times. I first met him during enrolments when we were registering our course and he mentioned he was residing at Burton and Griffin, I myself at Fenner Hall.

Anyway I really enjoyed this book.

A Great Read

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Wonderfully narrated by the author and an engaging humorous story that made me laugh out loud.

Really Enjoyed This.

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Would you listen to Flesh Wounds again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to this book again - but this doesn't take anything away from how much I enjoyed listening to it. Anyone with a dysfunctional upbringing will identify with the feelings of the author - so I've recommended it to many friends! But to read it again would mean that I would have to delve into my own childhood. Unlike the author, I'm not that brave!

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character is the mother. She is an enigmatic figure because she is a self-constructed identity. I think she's fascinating because her artificial character reveals the values she aspired to .... and the willingness of Australians to embrace the "airs and graces" of the English class system. There are some hilarious scenes when the author visits his mother and step-father's house in Armidale.

Which character – as performed by Richard Glover – was your favourite?

The character of the author as a boy is my favourite character.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I can't think of one .... but I would look to French films for inspiration.

Funny and Honest

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There’s nothing as strange as people and this book shares a fascinating story about the people in the author’s family. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fascinating story

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