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Sorrow and Bliss

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Sorrow and Bliss

By: Meg Mason
Narrated by: Hannah Monson
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About this listen

Spiky, sharp, intriguingly dark and tender, full of pathos, fury and wit, Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason is a dazzling, distinctive novel from a boldly talented writer. For fans of Sally Rooney, Taffy Brodesser-Akner and Fleabag.

This novel is about a woman called Martha. She knows there is something wrong with her, but she doesn't know what it is. Her husband Patrick thinks she is fine. He says everyone has something, the thing is just to keep going.

Martha told Patrick before they got married that she didn't want to have children. He said he didn't mind either way because he has loved her since he was fourteen and making her happy is all that matters, although he does not seem able to do it.

By the time Martha finds out what is wrong, it doesn't really matter anymore. It is too late to get the only thing she has ever wanted. Or maybe it will turn out that you can stop loving someone and start again from nothing—if you can find something else to want.

The book is set in London and Oxford. It is sad and funny.

©2020 Meg Mason (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Coming of Age Dark Humour Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Heartfelt Witty Tear-jerking Comedy

Critic Reviews

'Sorrow and Bliss is a book you'll want to devour in one sitting...an adult coming-of-age novel told with force, breathlessness and a confessional style that makes you feel as if you're sharing intimacies with an old friend.... Mason's writing has been compared to Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag for good reason...fresh and revelatory...sharp, racy and entertaining throughout.' (The Saturday Paper)
All stars
Most relevant
I loved the characters in this book. The writer has perfectly expressed the self reflective fears around love, relationships and families that come from living with mental illness. Beautifully and sensitively read by the narrator.

Relatable and vulnerable characters

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Loved this book, beautifully narrated and engaging throughout.
Thought provoking and explores mental illness from different perspectives and points of view.

Thought provoking and beautifully narrated.

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listened to this book at a very difficult time in my life and it hit very close to home. a truly heartbreakingly beautiful story.

wonderful

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I thought the title was bland. having finished it, I now know it's perfect. Both emotions invoked exquisitely, with characters that are so flawed and lovable.

Extraordinary

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I loved this very real account of modern life. The dry humour and ugly honesty. The voice of the reader has ruined me for all other readers. Perfection.

Bliss

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Sorrow and Bliss is a book I will think about for years to come and revisit, no doubt. It's both eartbreaking and very funny , all I can say is have some tissues near by!

Astonishingly moving

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Heartwarming story of love and intergenerational mental health in an artistic British middle class family. Beautiful audio performance.

Difficult and beautiful

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This year's must read book. I have loved every word, smiled, laughed and quietly wept for the real people in this terrific book.
Please read it, you won't regret it.

I love a ......... ending!

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Meg Mason writes with , for me such a magnetic style I listened to her narrative for hours on end.
The story is essentially kind of depressing but described with black comic humour making the unforgivable central character forgiven .
Really did love this book and unreservedly recommended reading it. I think honestly there is a little of the protagonist in all of us.

Love wins....eventually.

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Brilliantly captivating and entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyed this title, beautifully narrated too, which real brought the characters to life.

Laughed and cried

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