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An Olive Grove in Ends
- Narrated by: Louis McKenzie
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
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An Olive Grove in Ends
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Summary
ONE OF THE OBSERVER'S 10 MUST-READ DEBUT NOVELISTS OF 2022
A GUARDIAN NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022
2023 HAWTHORNDEN PRIZE WINNER
SOHO HOUSE BREAKTHROUGH WRITER AWARD 2022 WINNER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WRITERS' GUILD BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2023
Sayon Hughes, a young Black man from Bristol, dreams of a world far removed from the one in which he was raised. Far removed from the torn slips outside the bookie's, the burnt spoons and the crooked solutions his community embraces; most of all, removed from the Christianity of his uncaring parents and the prejudice of law-makers.
Growing up, Sayon found respite from the chaos of his environment in the love and loyalty of his brother-in-arms, Cuba; in the example of his cousin Hakim, a man once known as the most infamous drug-dealer in their neighbourhood, now a proselytising Muslim; and in the tenderness of his girl, Shona, whose own sense of purpose galvanises Sayon's.
In return, Sayon wants to give the people he loves the world: a house atop a grand hill in the most affluent area of the city, a home in which they can forever find joy and safety. But after an altercation in which a boy is killed, Sayon finds his loyalties torn and his dream of a better life in peril.
Critic reviews
"A rare glimpse into the harsh realities of street life and love in luminous prose, rendered with sensitivity and without sentimentalism. An astonishing debut." (Cherie Jones, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House)
"A remarkable debut, bristling with sharp prose and daring originality." (Nathan Harris, author of The Sweetness of Water)
"Engrossing.... A tough yet tender story of faith and friendship." (Observer)
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What listeners say about An Olive Grove in Ends
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Caroline O'Toole
- 28-06-22
Emotional journey throughout.
Throughout this book I was routing for Sayon
Angry with him, felt pity, understood, him, screamed at him . I was on a full journey with him.and Cuba and Shona his nanny and many more characters. A story of loss of hope, a violent world, and inexcusable empty violence, addiction. Yet always threaded through hope and a vision of a different life. more from Moses McKenzie please
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-07-22
outstanding story and narration
I absolutely loved this; thought-provoking, honest, gut-wrenching yet uplifting and so very real. The prose and drama of the story keeps you engaged from start to finish. I wanted more! it's not a community or setting I'm familiar with yet the writing made me understand and feel it's rhythm. I eagerly await Moses's next book, hopefully read by Louis again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beta
- 19-08-22
Captivating and so beautifully written
Both written and narrated wonderfully. Allows you to completely picture each and every character and fully immerse yourself in the story.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-07-22
Love, faith, ethics and family.
A really beautiful story, and so well told too. I couldn't stop listening, and I already want to listen again. The author brought so many layers and colours to an often overlooked place and community. I can't wait to hear what he does next .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S.hassan
- 15-08-23
Powerful and compelling
Went through this quicker than I could believe, it was that gripping. Credit to the narrator also
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- PIPER
- 11-05-22
Stunning debut
Tremendous , poetic, Full of vivid imagery and characters that become more understandable with every chapter. A thoroughly enjoyable listen with Louis, a mesmerising narrator. Awesome !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-05-22
Highly recommend
Couldn't stop listening..
The narration took me head first into Sayon's world. Loved it.. looking forward to the next book already
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-06-23
Captivating story
Written and read in a way that let me feel with the characters. They were not black and white situations, and the book did such a good job of approaching powerful subjects like church, crime, and overall morals. I loved listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- James
- 27-03-24
Fantastic novel brilliantly delivered
This is an original and challenging first novel, which is read brilliantly. It deals with really complex moral problems while bringing people and place vividly to life. Highly recommended.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Hoover
- 24-08-22
No holds barred portrayal of a criminal life
This was a good debut and the writing was engaging and vivid. Interesting portrayal of the way people get stuck in a dark life and their flawed attempts to move on. Very uncomfortable story at times; the narrator and other key characters showed that life and wider society holds so little value even after an attempt to reject the world. The commitment to self first and lack of repentance left the main character ultimately very unlikeable. Although the world depicted in this novel often shows humanity at it's worth I would recommend this story as a read that will both challenge and disturb.
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