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The Life Impossible

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The Life Impossible

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens
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About this listen

 The remarkable new Sunday Times bestselling novel from the author of the international sensation The Midnight Library

‘A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination' BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

'What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet . . .'

When retired Maths teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the Balearics Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.©2024 Matt Haig (P)2024 Canongate Books Ltd Best of 2024 Editors Select Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

Stunning. It's not only exquisitely written but has so much magic woven through it (Fearne Cotton)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Matt Haig, the wonder, is back (Lemn Sissay)
All stars
Most relevant  
Joanna Lumley was a brilliant choice to narrate this magical story reflecting on the human existence, our relationship with nature, connection and forgiveness.

Beautiful

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It was delightful to hear Joanna Lumley reading this intriguing, sweet, encouraging and sometimes funny story. An uplifting story.

The life impossible

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Beautifully written and beautifully read by the lovely Joanna Lumley. Such a heart warming book and very thought provoking.

Brilliant

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Poor Spanish accent. Boring, melodramatic story, hard to get through - felt like a really slog

Boring, melodramatic, poor narration (accents)

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The in-depth descriptions of the narrating character's feelings were too realistic - feelings and experiences were dwelled on for far too long.

Too realistic

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Matt's story called Joanna to tell it, as the ocean called to Grace. I will forever cherish this story, as I do the Midnight Library. 💙🍍🐐🤿🌊✨️

THANK YOU MATT HAIG AND JOANNA LUMLEY

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Joanna Lumley brought everything to life, a very unusual book which I will never forget.

Beautiful imaginative tale

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The story was wonderful and the enactment of the readers was brilliant. Another great book from this author.

An amazing journey

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This is the most relaxing and beautifully written book, narrated by a voice that was a perfect fit for this book. Highly recommend. Now on the lookout for more books narrated by Joanna Lumley! Unfortunately I need to wait for Matt Haig’s next book though.

I didn’t want this to end it was so good!

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I was very disappointed with this book, loved the Midnight Library so was really looking forward to this. However, I found it quite tedious with long descriptions and not a terribly likeable main character. Joanna Lumley did a great job of the narration but I found myself tuning out as it seemed to go on and on. Did finish it but only because I kept hoping it would get better.

Boring

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