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The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

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The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

By: Lisa Ireland
Narrated by: Deborah Kennedy, Harriet Gordon-Anderson
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About this listen

'Elderly. Is that how the world sees me? A helpless little old lady? If only they knew. I allow myself a small smirk.'
A Daring Escape
When Shirley Sullivan signs her 83-year-old husband, Frank, out of the Sunset Lodge Nursing Home, she has no intention of bringing him back.

A Lifetime of Memories
For fifty-seven years the couple has shared love, happiness and heartbreak. And while Frank may not know who his wife is these days, he knows he wants to go home. Back to the beach where they met in the early 1960s . . .

A Final Act of Love
So Shirley enacts an elaborate plan to evade the authorities - and their furious daughter, Fiona - to give Frank the holiday he'd always dreamed of.

And, in doing so, perhaps Shirley can make amends for a lifelong guilty secret . . .

©2020 Lisa Ireland (P)2020 Penguin Random House Australia Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Feel-Good Tear-jerking

Critic Reviews

'I want to be Shirley when I grow up.' RACHAEL JOHNS

'Beautiful, breathtaking and heart-wrenching.' AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

'With both humour and heart, The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan takes the reader on a (literal) journey - in a Kombi van! - following one couple's unconventional love story, and examining the lengths a person will go to to right the wrongs of a lifetime. This is Lisa Ireland's breakout novel for sure.' SALLY HEPWORTH

'Lisa Ireland's writing is simply magical, and Shirley's charming and heartfelt story brought me to tears again and again. The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan is one of my favourite books, ever.' KELLY RIMMER

'This moving story, celebrating ageing and all types of love, will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.' RACHAEL JOHNS
All stars
Most relevant  
Brilliant book, had me right from the start. Shirley Sullivan has a huge heart. I laughed and cried. Truly wonderful. Joy to read.

Brilliant- The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

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This is a story full of empathy, warmth, human frailty and a tinge of suspense.Growing older and losing control of our lives is something we all fear .A book having a badass grandmother straining against the norm as the protaganist, is a stroke of genius.Shirley has more than one secret. Sometimes the book moves a bit too slowly for my liking at times going over old ground but picks up again with a little perseverance.The narration was generally excellent, however the narrator only learned how to pronounce Bairnsdale two thirds of the way through the book, and for some reason as a Victorian hearing that placename mispronounced really grated with me. However that being said an enjoyable read to wile away some long drives and enough momentum to keep you coming back ...Spoiler alert in next sentence- ............I found the ending a bit of a cop out.

"Olds on the run."

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I love this so much and it was so very relatable!
As a woman who is getting on in age, I can relate to having somebody you love so much and wanting the very best for them, wanting to look after them when things aren’t going well for them - but I can also relate as a lesbian and to how difficult it can be to separate a straight marriage from a lesbian love - I’ve done it.

It was a thoroughly glorious story, told by the actors in such a delightful way.
Will relisten for sure!
FocusOnSimple 🌿

Thoroughly glorious.

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The storyline, stunning, heartbreaking and uplifting. Loved that each chapter was a different time. This gave you an insight into the characters.

The characterisation of each person.

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It took a little while to grab me but I’m so happy to have persisted. It is a true love story. Not the bullshit romantic kind but the enduring love that we have for all the people in our lives for all the different reasons. It has softened me as a person.

A slow start

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This book was surprising and beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.. thank you
I highly recommend, and I did laugh and cry

I laughed and I cried

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This is a beautiful story about the strength of love through the harrowing journey of Alzheimer’s. Having watched my darling Dad retreat further and further into the mist of his memories, this was a particularly difficult, yet uplifting, book for me.

Love never fades

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I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. The research the author put into this book paid off.

Awesome.

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narrators best ever. great story .loved it. very strong characters story line so sad at times & then it lifts your spirits up with courage & love

best all rounder

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This heartfelt journey puts the reader into Shirley’s shoes. Splendidly written, completely honest & real. Loved it immensely. Well done Lisa.

Captivating Read

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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.