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The Offing
- Narrated by: Ralph Ineson
- Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Bloomsbury presents The Offing by Benjamin Myers, read by Ralph Ineson.
A BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick
A BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime
An Observer Pick for 2019
One summer following the Second World War, Robert Appleyard sets out on foot from his Durham village. Sixteen and the son of a coal miner, he makes his way across the northern countryside until he reaches the former smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay. There he meets Dulcie, an eccentric, worldly, older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage facing out to sea.
Staying with Dulcie, Robert’s life opens into one of rich food, sea swimming, sunburn and poetry. The two come from different worlds, yet as the summer months pass, they form an unlikely friendship that will profoundly alter their futures.
Critic Reviews
"It’s a poignant story, and Myers’ descriptions of the countryside are wonderful." (Mail on Sunday)
"What a radical thing, these days, to have written a book so full of warmth and kindness...Gorgeous." (Max Porter, author of Lanny)
"This is a poetic book with a winning generosity of spirit, moving from a folksy celebration of the rural north to a revelation of the broader horizons that can come from reading and some serious culture." (Sunday Times)
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- Janet
- 24-04-2022
A beautiful, touching story
Loved this book. I was not sure about the narrator's voice at first but soon got very used to it. It was beautifully read and beautifully written. For the lovers of good writing, nature and poetry..I would highly recommend.
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- The McBeans
- 14-04-2024
A slow-burning poetic elegy
Maybe it’s the times. Maybe my age. Maybe just my mood. But what seemed at first a beautifully written book about nothing much reeled me in like a trout that doesn’t know it’s hooked until it’s too late. By the end I was in that cottage thinking about lost time. Wonderful.
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- Shelley Griffiths
- 02-04-2020
Immersed in storytelling
Prepare to be transported in time, in possibility, in adventure and in life. I loved this story and would recommend it to cozy up with.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-07-2023
Wonderful!
Beautiful prose, fabulous characters and wonderfully performed. Highly recommend. The offing is soothing for the soul
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- Anonymous User
- 21-10-2023
Trope-free Read
This beautiful novel unpacked a wonderful story that didn't involve "a body was found' in the first few chapters. It developed elegantly and organically, focusing on the everyday life of two very different but likable characters. Myers' writing is fresh and engaging, and Ineson's narration was excellent. It deserved 5 stars.
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- Donna
- 22-05-2021
A post-war tale of change, and choosing life
A gem of a book, brought to vivid life by the narrator - a story of transformation, and courage, and the embracing of life.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Susie Wise
- 12-04-2022
Beautifully written . For in the first half of the book there was very little known about the characters and no real backgrow
We knew nothing about Dolcy’s background, only hints that she came from an affluent background.
I think in the first part it was beautifully written but no story.
We all like want different things from a book. I like more of “what makes that person tick, how did that woman become the person I am reading about”
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- Anonymous User
- 07-06-2023
A poetic beauty
The word smithing in this book is second to none . Beautiful metaphors and a gentle development of characters and relationships . A strong sense of place .
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- Kim Taylor
- 03-01-2022
Brilliant!
Loved this book on every level. Beautifully written. Engaging, insightful, poetic, entertaining and real.
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- Avid Reader
- 03-04-2023
An important and wonderful social commentary
I absolutely loved this book. In itself it is beautifully written and poetic and the characters it brings to life are endearing and captivating. It addresses in a gentle and non confrontational way some very important social questions and causes the reader to examine the role and impact of generational achievements and expectations. Just fabulous.
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