Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Absolutely and Forever
- Narrated by: Jane McDowell
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Absolutely and Forever
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
A piercing story of thwarted love and true friendship from one of our greatest living writers
Marianne Clifford, 15, only child of a peppery army colonel and his vain wife, Lal, falls helplessly and absolutely for Simon Hurst, 18, whose cleverness and physical beauty suggest that he will go forward into a successful and monied future, helped on by doting parents. But fate intervenes. Simon's plans are blown off course, and Marianne is forced to bury her dreams of a future together.
Narrating her own story, characterising herself as ignorant and unworthy, Marianne's telling use of irony and smart thinking gradually suggest to us that she has underestimated her own worth. We begin to believe that - in the end, supported by her courageous Scottish friend, Petronella - she will find the life she never stops craving. But what we can't envisage is that beneath his blithe exterior, Simon Hurst has been nursing a secret which will alter everything.
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about Absolutely and Forever
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-03-24
Original and charming
A quite unique writing style. Evocative of an era I can barely remember. Showing great insight into the plight of unrequited love. The narrator read beautifully and was perfect in the role. I was sad when it finished and wanted more. Always the sign of a good book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Miss H.
- 27-02-24
The narration was very flat.
I think the reader may have been trying to represent the narrator/heroine’s style, but she sounded often like an AI voice. A shame, as it’s a rather beautiful book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-12-23
Biba
Liked the way the characters behaved against type. Liked the 50s vibe. Liked the length. Very succinct. Liked women’s pov. No dislikes
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annelise Goodsir
- 18-01-24
Superb
Absolutely loved this wonderful evocative book, felt sad when it ended. Beautifully written as ever by Rose Tremain!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Christine
- 07-01-24
A little stuffy
I found this story a touch too sentimental. I got bored at the end. I normally like Rose Tremain but this is not her best.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 28-12-23
Heart-stopping
Firstly the narrator was perfect for the story. Secondly it was vivid and engrossing and took me back to my own youth and lost love in a way that resonated so much with my feelings. The detail was extraordinary. The ending a triumph. A skilled and engaging writer. I believed every word.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-03-24
Passionate
Reading was a bit robotic but the story is moving and a worthwhile short listen about love, heartbreak and human nature.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- colin
- 10-10-23
Perfection
What a wonderful story … a true evocation of the sixties, first love, class etc.
such beautiful narration. I didn’t want it to end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- W. A. Stokes
- 23-09-23
Love story
Listened in one sitting-took a few minutes to get used to the narrator but really enjoyed it-a love story by Rose Tremain ,possibly my favourite writer. Not her best ever book and definitely not her longest but a good listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Liz
- 09-10-23
beautiful but feels a little old fashioned
I'm a big rose tremain fan, but this novella, while gorgeously written, isn't her best. it felt quite old fashioned in pace + concept. Plus Marianne seemed to need a good shake to get over her self.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!