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Publisher's Summary

Set on the Western Front, in London and in Paris, My Dear I Wanted to Tell You is a moving and brilliant novel of love, class, and sex in wartime, and how war affects those left behind as well as those who fight.

While Riley Purefoy and Peter Locke fight for their country, their survival and their sanity in the trenches of Flanders, Nadine Waveney, Julia Locke, and Rose Locke do what they can at home. Beautiful, obsessive Julia and gentle, eccentric Peter are married: each day Julia goes through rituals to prepare for her beloved husband’s return. Nadine and Riley, only 18 when the war starts, and with problems of their own already, want above all to make promises - but how can they when the future is not in their hands? And Rose? Well, what did happen to the traditionally brought-up women who lost all hope of marriage, because all the young men were dead?
©2011 Louisa Young (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"Birdsong for the new millennium." ( Tatler)

What members say

Average Customer Ratings

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Audible.com.au reviews
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Robyn
  • 26-03-2014

special praise for the narrator

There is nothing I can usefully add to the many positive comments about the book itself, but Dan Stevens deserves special mention for his outstanding narration. First, he simply has a wonderful voice which is a pleasure to listen to. But, in addition, he is so good with different voices and accents for the various characters, his talent is quite astonishing - it's a bit like listening to a radio play with different actors for the different parts. And, a real bonus (at least for me), is that he correctly pronounces all of the foreign words and names. There are quite a few narrators I have really admired, but Dan Stevens takes first prize for me. I look forward to listening to more of his work.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Paola
  • 27-08-2012

entertaining, emotional,seemed based in real facts

A great story and good narrative. Very catchy. Interesting also from a historical point of view.




Sort by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • helen
  • 20-06-2011

Powerful,moving and engrossing

I read the blurb and thought it sounded interesting. What an understatement, thsi is one of the most thought provoking, enthralling and totally moving books I have listened to. It is similar to Birdsong (as critics have compared it to) in terms of context and also power over the reader. The characters are well developed and believable. What struck me the most was the incredible amount of research the author must have undertaken to produce this book and portray the horror of war and its aftermath. I encourage you to read/listen to it.

38 of 38 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • fiona
  • 14-08-2011

a must

Brilliantly written. What wonderfully developed and soon loved characters in a compelling plot. The reading is superb, so much more than narration, really acting the story bringing so much more to both plot and characters. I have listened to this story multiple times already and it is a firm favorite. I just want more by this author and this narrator.

22 of 22 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Julie-Anne
  • 22-11-2011

Superb

Easily one of the best audiobooks I've heard. I have been totally absorbed since the first minute, and Dan Stevens' narration is simply perfect. The author's painstaking research is brilliantly woven into the story - I really can't recommend this enough so I shall stop trying!

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jane
  • 02-12-2011

Couldn't switch it off

Normally I listen to my beloved audiobooks for 40 minutes or so each early morning in the dark while drinking tea but this one came everywhere with me scattering a trail of unfinished tasks in its wake. The cast of characters is small; but one becomes deeply engrossed with each one. The scope and sheer scale of WW1 is almost unimaginable but seen through the eyes of these characters it becomes real and you can see how it wrenched, tore and changed lives. The medical details are described in clinical detail which is very interesting and illuminating. Highly recommended.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Dawn
  • 15-11-2011

Couldn't stop listening

I have just finished listening and I am so disappointed it has ended. The detail is very graffic, but important so you can picture the scene. The anotomical and artistic detail was facinating. The narrator is excellent, he gives passion and feeling to the story. I sometimes find it odd to listen to male narrators read female parts, but not on this occasion, excellent!!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Keith M
  • 21-11-2011

The horror of war and the strength of human spirit

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this, horrific, emotional and thought provoking, narrated brilliantly by Dan Stevens.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Bookworm
  • 18-11-2011

A very sensitive story and reading

What a wonderful read. I had to play truant this morning because I just could not part with the book. Touching story, perceptive thoughts, lovely written and beautifully read. It was one of the best books I read this year, if not the best.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Louise
  • 10-11-2011

I was gripped, I was shocked, I fell in love!

This deservedly won the Galaxy audiobook of the year. A love story set during the First World War. I devoured this one. It starts out as a seemingly conventional novel and turns into an absolutely riveting and original listen…. No spoilers here but prepare to be shocked, to fall in love and take this gem to your heart.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Kathleen
  • 08-08-2011

my dear I wanted to tell you

This is a story of love and courage, that evokes the atmosphere of Wartime and how it touches the lives of the women they leave behind. I would give it 6 stars if I could

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Mrs
  • 11-11-2011

Why we should always honour Remembrance Day

Moving and powerful. Shocking and horrific. A whole generation living through this unimaginable horror. Excellent book- a powerful story that tells the history without soft soaping. I could not stop listening and finished it within two days. Highly recommended.

14 of 15 people found this review helpful