The Wishing Game cover art

The Wishing Game

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Wishing Game

By: Meg Shaffer
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer, Rachel Jacobs
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

'Part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving' Jodi Picoult

'Clever, dark, and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power childhood stories have over us long after we've grown up' V.E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

'A dreamy, inventive novel about how books can not only change lives but save them too' Sarah Addison Allen, author of Other Birds

One of the Washington Post's top ten feel-good novels of the year: a perfect gift for book lovers everywhere!

During her lonely childhood, Lucy Hart found solace in Jack Masterson's Clock Island books. Now a teacher's aide, she shares her love of reading with Christopher, a former student she'd give anything to adopt - if only she could afford it.

Just when Lucy is about to give up, the famously reclusive writer announces that he's finally written a new book, and he's holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island to win the only copy.

Winning the most sought-after book in the world could change Lucy and Christopher's lives. But with wily opponents, the books' distractingly handsome illustrator, and Jack Masterson himself to contend with, that won't be as easy as she wishes . . .

©2023 Meg Shaffer (P)2023 Penguin Random House Audio Fantasy Genre Fiction Magical Realism
All stars
Most relevant  
this is a beautiful mix between Charlie and the chocolate factory and the hallmark channel. a story that you can actually share with your family

lovely

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
chosen by our book club. predictable but enjoyable, easy listening. the narrator did a wonderful job!

book club choice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
First up I want to say that I would so have loved Clock Island books when I was a kid!! Shame they aren't real - might be a future money spinner for Meg Schaeffer!
This book was predictable but utterly charming. The characters were terrifically developed. You got the whole back story so felt very connected to them all. The story itself was completely and satisfactorily resolved by the end for all the characters that appeared. Whilst I can appreciate a story that leaves you thinking, there is something wonderful about a story that is neatly tied up at the end.
The narrator did an excellent job of everyone except the English Hugo.
My true measure of a 4+ star book is whether I can't wait to get in the car to listen and this book definitely fell into that category. Loved it.

Charming story of childhood wishes made real

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautiful story of how relationships can change and grow, with a little wishing and time.

Sweet and charming

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Saccharine, with ridiculous plot points that make adopting a child akin to getting a puppy. Immature and immature and whiny lead character who doesn’t do anything to help herself. Gets her wish through the miracle of a white entitled middle class woman’s right to a happy ending. Terrible English accent.

Insurmountably Silly

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.