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The Deed

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The Deed

By: Susannah Begbie
Narrated by: Sibylla Budd
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About this listen

 SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 INDIE BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION

MEET THE EDWARDS FAMILY

Tom Edwards is dying, and cranky. He's made his peace with the dying part. But he'd bet his property - the whole ten thousand acres of it - that there'd be no wailing at his funeral. His kids wouldn't be able to chop down a tree, let alone build a coffin to bury him in.

Then Tom has an idea ...

Christine is furious, David ashen-faced, and Sophie distracted. Only Jenny listens carefully as Vince Barton, of Barton & Sons, reads their father's will. Either they build his coffin - in four days - or they lose their inheritance. All of it.

A perceptive and unforgettable debut novel, The Deed explores the messy, sometimes volatile, complications that only the best and worst of family can bring. Sometimes greed can be good.

'Splendidly told through a rich layering of characterisation . . . Funny, heartfelt and unforgettable' SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE

'From its richly evoked rural landscape to its complex, loveable characters, The Deed is a dazzling debut full of humour and heart about one man's legacy, four fractious siblings and all that can divide or unite a family. This is a wonderful, hugely entertaining, thoroughly Australian novel from an exciting new talent.' HANNAH RICHELL, bestselling author and Richell Prize judge

'A debut novel, yet it's as if Begbie's been honing her skills for the last 20 years and this is the culmination of all she's learned' COUNTRY STYLE©2024 Susannah Begbie (P)2024 Hachette Australia Audio Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Heartfelt Funny
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An engaging story of family and relationships. A light hearted look at each family members life while dealing with heavy topics. Beautifully read a great listen.

An easy but gripping story!

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Enjoyed the characters as they evolved, all so different typical of bigger families that I’m able to relate to, Such a great read/ listen. Thank you

Loved the subject

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I loved the way Susannah explored childhood experiences and how they shaped the Edward siblings. It was lovely to listen to, I enjoyed the short chapters. The mix of humour, sadness and hope was perfect.

Beautifully insightful story

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Very enjoyable book, saw her speak at writers festival & was taken by the premise. Did not disappoint & had me looking forward to my next session.

Great idea for a story & great execution

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What a fantastic debut novel from Susannah Begbie. It had me hooked- story and narration by Sybilla Budd made it easy to listen to.

Engaging tale with interesting characters and Australian voices

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Fantastic story! great characters , funny ,sad, and well written. very original storyline. I will miss the whole family. and would love a book 2

Fantastic! funny!

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such a fun, involving, deep and Aussie story written in a highly engaging and personal way. loved it

amazing novel by a spectacular author, doctor and human being

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this is a light enjoyable pleasant story, with enough juice, and told wonderfully. the audio is good to listen to well spoken etc. very pleasant easy listening.

great voice, pleasant enjoyable story!!!

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Loved this! Fun story addressing sibling relationships, a brother and three sisters forced together for a problem solving yarn. Looking forward to Susannah’s next novel. Sibylla Budd does a great job with the audio. Easy to listen to.

Very entertaining

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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.