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The One-in-a-Million Boy
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Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people - though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she’s invisible. All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend - her grandmother Zelda - who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier.
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A small, broken town sits on the edge of a frozen lake surrounded by a forest, its wounds still raw from a tragedy that tore its fragile community in two. Beartown has lost its way. Now the cold and dark that surround the snowbound town creep in, and so do new conflicts and tensions. What was once a friendly rivalry with the neighbouring town is beginning to turn sinister and Beartown braces itself for another tragic blow. How far will the people of Beartown go to preserve their reputations for a second, deadly time?
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- By: Fredrik Backman
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- Length: 47 mins
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 12
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
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Story4 out of 5 stars 12
The father has a story he needs to share before it's too late. As he tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away, he reveals even more about himself - his past regrets, his hopes for the future. Now, on Christmas Eve, he has been given the chance to do something remarkable that could change the destiny of the little girl he hardly knows. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he must find out what his own life has actually been worth, and only his son can reveal the answer.
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Fight Like a Girl
- By: Clementine Ford
- Narrated by: Clementine Ford
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 786
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 722
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 719
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WOW YES YES YES
- By Claire on 09-10-2016
Publisher's Summary
A one-in-a-million story for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and think about how extraordinary ordinary life can be. Not to be missed by those who loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Elizabeth Is Missing or The Shock of the Fall.
Miss Ona Vitkus has - aside from three months in the summer of 1914 - lived unobtrusively, her secrets fiercely protected. The boy, with his passion for world records, changes all that. He is 11. She is 104 years, 133 days old (they are counting). And he makes her feel like she might be really special after all.
Better late than never...only it's been two weeks now since he last visited, and she's starting to think he's not so different from all the rest. Then the boy's father comes, for some reason determined to finish his son's good deed. And Ona must show this new stranger that not only are there odd jobs to be done but a life's ambition to complete....
Critic Reviews
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sallyanne Aarons
- 14-05-2016
A one in a million book.
Where does The One-in-a-Million Boy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This was one of the most wonderful books I have ever read/listened to and I am an extremely prolific reader.
What did you like best about this story?
I loved the multi-layered nuances and symbolism in the story. I thought that each word was carefully chosen and at times it felt like poetry.
Have you listened to any of Chris Andrew Ciulla’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is the first book I've listened to read by Chris. At first his breathy tone was a bit difficult to get used to but once I got into it, I marvelled at his artistry and skill in bringing all the very different characters to life.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A film about the wisdom of age and the power of love.
Any additional comments?
I highly recommend this book and I will be very surprised if it doesn't win many awards.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Clare Cotton
- 06-01-2017
disappointing
If there was a point to this tedious book i
I missed it entirely .Brevity can be a virtue.
.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Erin
- 22-11-2016
The audiobook that will make you love stories
Prepare to be sucked in, bawl your eyes out and feel hollowed out by this incredible book. I have never loved any characters so much, the story ends perfectly and the narrator has some serious talent. Listen to this book!!!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-08-2016
Really enjoyed.
A lovely piece on human interaction. Chris does an wonderful job, I listen to it twice.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kate
- 15-04-2016
Beautiful
Where does The One-in-a-Million Boy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This book was made for audio and especially Chris Ciulla who was spectacular at creating a mood and changing his voices which were very evocative. I think it was perfect in the audio genre to the point that I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as a book. I loved the recordings Ona made with 'the boy' and they were beautifully read by CC. A very uplifting story despite the sad undertones. It took a good few chapters to start unfolding but it was certainly worth it to understand what makes each character tick. What a splendid book!
Have you listened to any of Chris Andrew Ciulla’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No, but I'll certainly look out for them now, he was excellent in this audiobook!
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Devoncollection
- 30-04-2016
A beautiful story
A story of human frailty and love, of many depths. Well read with humour and accent.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- terry smith
- 16-09-2016
Simply amazing
An amazing read that focus on death and sorrow . I was working truly moved to by this story.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Patricia Grundy
- 15-09-2016
Not for me!
The Goodreads description of this book states it is "Not to be missed by readers who loved THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, ELIZABETH IS MISSING or THE SHOCK OF THE FALL."
Now, I enjoyed all of those three titles. However, The One-in-a-Million Boy was nothing like any of those.
I found it very boring. Despite having listened to more than half I still couldn't figure out where the story was headed. Usually it takes A LOT for me to give up on an audio book but getting through only half of it in 3 months has to be a sign that it isn't working.
Despite the title being what it is we don't even get to know the boy's actual name, making it very difficult to warm to him. Though I didn't warm to any of the other characters either.
There were to many clichés as well: sassy old lonely lady strikes unlikely friendship with lonely boy, whose absent dad's a bit of a bum but his mum has now found a good father figure for him. Blah blah blah. Seen it, watched it, read it. A million times.
I didn't think the narration was that good either. It sounded very forced but monotonous at the same time.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linden
- 09-07-2016
Just simply superb
Most books I have enjoyed on audible. Some I have really loved, and a very few I have not liked. But this book is quite something else. I just adored it, and am so sorry it is now finished. The characters will live with me for ever - they are all wonderfully drawn, even the minor ones. It is mainly the stories of three main characters, drawn into one story, all interacting and affecting each other deeply. It did make me cry, but it is a beautiful story.
At first I did find some of the descriptive narration a little difficult to follow at times; but do not let this put you off. It is superbly narrated, with all the different voices and characterisation shining through. I am very pleased that I listened to this book, rather than reading - not something that I always find.
I shall certainly listen to it again - and again in the future.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Bean
- 17-02-2017
Compelling listen, lovely story
Really enjoyed this audio book. Style put me in the mind of a man called Ove... but ultimately very much it's own story. Initially the narration was a bit off beat for me, but a chapter or two in I settled into the story and really looked forward to my commute and the next installment. Also think characters were well fleshed out, and likeable. Would recommend.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amanda Toguri
- 29-11-2016
Poingnant...thought provoking...stunning
Provoked a lot of internal thinking for me and i am determined not to leave it as late as Quin to get a handle on the type of adult i wish to be or heaven help me...Ona. Touching and realistic story
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 14-11-2016
An amazing story of friendships
This is wonderful story of several unlikely friendships: between an 11 year old boy who I think is aitistic; a 104 year old very independent lady; and the boy's parents, and the complex relationships of all of them.
Beautifully written and excellently narrated.
A truly one in a million story which I will certainly listen to again.
Just beautiful.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 24-10-2016
Unexpectedly brilliant
When the book started I wasn't sure that it was for me but as I listened I was drawn in by this unusual, sad & funny story. It was excellently read, the voices painting pictures. Loved it & recommend it to anyone wanting something different.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sula
- 27-09-2016
Lovely book
I really enjoyed this book. It is unique, moving, funny and uplifting. The reader is comforting and engaging. At the beginning the different character voices seemed strange but I found myself warming to it.
1 person found this helpful
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