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Old God's Time cover art

Old God's Time

By: Sebastian Barry
Narrated by: Stephen Hogan
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Publisher's Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

TWICE WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR

Tom Kettle, a retired policeman, and widower, is settling into the quiet of his new home in Dalkey, overlooking the sea. His solitude is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask about a traumatic, decades-old case. A case that Tom never quite came to terms with. And his peace is further disturbed when his new neighbour, a mysterious young mother, asks for his help.

A beautiful, haunting novel, in which nothing is quite as it seems, Old God's Time is an unforgettable exploration of family, loss and love

©2023 Sebastian Barry (P)2023 Faber Audio

Critic Reviews

"His work reminds us how much we need these rare gifts of the natural storyteller." (Tessa Hadley)

"Full of love and heartache, this is an unforgettable novel from one of our finest writers." (Douglas Stuart)

"Shocking, stunning and extraordinarily brave. Barry has once again written a character for the ages." (Liz Nugent)

What listeners say about Old God's Time

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Extraordinary writing and masterful narration

I was transfixed throughout the superb reading of this deeply moving story. It had me in tears. I don’t know if many writers who can convey character so fully and do well resolved as Barry. He captures the era, the norms, the culture of a place and the human dilemma of people so brilliantly. I’m in his thrall.

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Great book

Beautiful, heart breaking book. Booker Prize well deserved!! I recommend this book but note trigger warning re child sexual abuse.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A powerful telling of an Irish tragedy

I'm grateful to Sebastian Barry for telling this story, while fictional, a truth all priests and men in power should acknowledge. I'm glad that such evil is highlighted here so powerfully.

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Wow

Absolutely stunning writing. Hogan’s a marvellous wordsmith.
Warning: reader discretion is advised. A gut wrenching topic.

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Great writing but not my “cup-of-tea”

It took a long time before I realised where the story was going. We’ll past halfway I had a short burst of interest, but not enough for me to feel this a riveting story. But I know lovers of SB will enjoy this novel

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Both old gods and new will weep.”

At times new words and phrases in this book so brilliantly described the deeply familiar grief caused by the Catholic Church that I was left breathless. A man realises, in the twilight of his seemingly outrageous tragedy of a life that human beings “are designed for….the summer’s justice, the planet’s mercy.” Irish Sebastian Barry tells a divine story.

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Confusing and haunting

The reader did a fantastic job but as the narrator appears to be in the throes of dementia, I found the story hard to follow. It also includes quite graphic descriptions of child abuse which were jarring and haunting

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Delightful

A beautiful poetic book, sensitively read, that lingers with the listener for days after. A book with a tue heart.

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Beautifully written. intense and original story

I loved Old God's Time. it is an important story that depicts the truth of what occurs in the lives of too many children and it makes you think. Much of the subject matter is tragic yet the author has written in a way that allows you to keep listening without being overwhelmed. I did not know of the author previously but will read more of his works. Beautifully written and convincingly performed by an excellent narrator.

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Beautifully written and narrated

This book is so beautifully written, as all of Sebastian Barry’s books are. Great, but sad,story. Narrator was fabulous. Can’t recommend this book highly enough.

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1 person found this helpful

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.