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When Things Are Alive They Hum

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When Things Are Alive They Hum

By: Hannah Bent
Narrated by: Irene Chen
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About this listen

Marlowe and Harper share a bond deeper than most sisters, shaped by the loss of their mother in childhood.

For Harper, living with what she calls the Up syndrome and gifted with an endless capacity for wonder, Marlowe and she are connected by an invisible thread, like the hum that connects all things. For Marlowe, they are bound by her fierce determination to keep Harper, born with a congenital heart disorder, alive. Now 25, Marlowe is living her own life abroad, secure in the knowledge Harper’s happiness is complete, having found love. Then she receives a devastating call that Harper’s heart is failing. She needs a heart transplant but is denied one by the medical establishment. Marlowe rushes to Hong Kong to be by Harper’s side and has to answer the question - what lengths would you go to save your sister?

©2021 Hannah Bent (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd and Ultimo Press Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt China

Critic Reviews

"When literature is alive it hums, and rattles and warms and hurts and heals. Hannah Bent and her wondrous Harper and Marlowe have changed the way I’ve been going about my days. What a gift." (Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe and All Our Shimmering Skies)
All stars
Most relevant  
Loved the depiction and perspective of a Down syndrome person shared through Harper. Enlightening and endearing. Ending wasn’t as I’d hoped (for the better perhaps)?

Character vantage points each chapter

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This beautifully crafted novel switches perspectives between two sisters - Marlowe and Harper - and captures the depths of their relationship as Harper, who was born with "up"-syndrome, deals with a life-threatening illness. The whole novel feels "true", and whilst many of the events are sad, the story is also uplifting. The narrator does a wonderful of capturing their voices, particularly Harper's, whose innocent way of seeing the world and the people around her is also enlightening. I loved every minute of this story and have already bought a copy of the print version as a gift for a friend.

Moving and Memorable

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Well written story of sisters and the lengths they go to help each other and others.

Well written story of sisterhood

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An emotional journey from a grieving heart to an acceptance of love.
Sisters. Respect. Cultural differences. Home. Family.

Beautiful

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I loved this audio book. beautifully narrated and so touching. not something I would normally select as I thought it would be sad, but it was touching and sad and beautiful all at the same time. I'm so glad it is now a part of me :)

a beautiful story about love

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The narrator is excellent! Makes listening to this wonderful story of beautiful people a joy. Loved all the characters. A must listen

Amazing beautiful story

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Enjoyed the narration. I laughed and a cried. Beautiful book of love and sisters. And up syndrome.

Loved this book

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An easy listen, and a lovely story. I found the plot a bit far fetched at times but overall a nice story that keeps you listening to find out what happens.

Beautifully written…far fetched at times

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A fabulous story of two very different lives sharing one life. Such great perspectives and cultural insights.

Lovely Story

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Funny, sad, truthful, joyful, beautiful.. all the feels in this beautiful beautiful novel. Perfectly narrated perfectly written

Funny, creative, sad, joyful… all the feels in this beautiful beautiful novel. Perfectly narrated perfectly written

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