The One and Only Dolly Jamieson cover art

The One and Only Dolly Jamieson

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The One and Only Dolly Jamieson

By: Lisa Ireland
Narrated by: Taylor Owynns
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About this listen

A compelling feel-good novel featuring a proud and gutsy heroine, for anyone who believes in the resilience of the human spirit.

A RESILIENT SPIRIT
Dolly Jamieson is not homeless, she's merely between permanent abodes. The 78-year-old spends her days keeping warm at the local library, where she enjoys sparring with the officious head librarian and helping herself to the free morning tea. It's not so bad, really.

A FORGOTTEN STAR
But it's certainly a far cry from the 1960s, when this humble girl from Geelong became an international star of the stage. As the acclaimed lead in the Broadway production of The Rose of France, all Dolly's dreams had come true.

So how, in her old age, did she end up here?

AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP
When Jane Leveson, a well-to-do newcomer to the library, shows an interest in Dolly, the pair strike up an unlikely friendship - and soon Jane is offering to help Dolly write her memoirs.

Yet Dolly can detect a deep sadness in the younger woman's eyes. Perhaps by working together to recount the glittering highs, devastating lows and tragic secrets of Dolly's life, both women can finally face their pasts and start to heal . . .



©2023 Lisa Ireland (P)2023 Penguin Random House Australia Audio Historical Fiction Fiction Feel-Good Tear-jerking

Critic Reviews

'From the glamour of Broadway in the 1960s to the realities of life for the unhoused today, this is a riveting and heartbreaking story of friendship, second chances and hope.' KELLY RIMMER

'This novel had me from the first page. It's been years since a book has made me feel like this.' SALLY HEPWORTH
All stars
Most relevant  
Loved the book and the relationships within it. Give it a go - you may enjoy it.

Great!

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Entertaining story. Food for thought. Very good narration. Recommended for female listeners.
Give it a go you won’t be disappointed.

Excellent

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This is one of those books that I feel so grateful to have been told about. Just wonderful.

Superb

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What a wonderful well written and narrated book. Felt every emotion that Dolly and Jane felt. Another great book by Lisa. Loved it

Hello dolly!

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I loved this new novel. It was an intriguing story interweaving the changes in societies attitudes to women in the last 80 years. Individuals courage and pride as they experience life’s losses, disappointments and difficulties with determination and celebrations of achievement. I look forward to more novels by Lisa Ireland.

A special story

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I fell in love with Dolly instantly. Couldn’t stop listening to her amazing life and all her adventures.

Fantastic Story

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When I bought this book I had no idea how much I’d enjoy it.

Dolly/Marjie is a wonderful character and I found her story and her personality so uplifting and engaging. She is so understanding and considerate of other people’s perceptions, thoughts and opinions and take on life or situations. She always sees what might be an unpleasant situation from the others point of view.

The book itself doesn’t go with the usual expectations of how one might feel the story might go, and I liked that. It most it definitely wasn’t disappointing.

I’m a NZer and love stories about Australia. This is definitely one of the best I’ve read. I thoroughly recommend it.

I had no idea…

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Got bored. Skipped to the end, Nothing in it for me. Give me Eleanor Oliphant any day.

Too drawn out

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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.