mixed feelings

good in parts, but some sections of the book, especially the chapters when they enter the 'other world' didn't do it for me
interesting bits were the court room scenes and goings on within the prison. the whole, ghost , dream. afterlife felt inaccurately described and poorly thought. not in keeping with the rest of the book.

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2 people found this helpful

really enjoyed

love this author and narrator. wasn't sure about this type of story reading the blurb but I really enjoyed it

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Conflicted

I feel conflicted by this book and the need to review it.

What I enjoyed about the book: it was well written, the narration is good, and the idea is new(ish), or rather, it's a different take on the supernatural world of ghosts than I've previously read.

What I didn't enjoy: occasionally, the plot was a little tenuous or convenient for the author; it wasn't a very uplifting read/listen.

I was left feeling a little bit hollow by this book. Just like "Girl with all the Gifts", there is no happy ending where our heroine conquers all. But equally, with this story, what other ending could there be, and still be "realistic"? It's a brutal story, very little positive going on, and the imagery is stark.

Certainly, it was well written and narrated. And if you're a fan of MR Carey, and/or this genre, then it's worth a punt. I will probably buy the next MR Carey book too, but I'll be sure to have a good, uplifting, humour-filled story standing by to pick me up afterwards.....

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17 people found this helpful

Fabulous and compelling. Carey is on fire!

Sadly, books of this quality turn me into an antisocial hermit - I just can't be doing with people trying to talk to me when there's a good book on the go.

Finty's reading is delicious, characterful and accurate, with none of the distracting errors of pronunciation found elsewhere.

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8 people found this helpful

Another winner from M R Carey

This is a wonderful novel. It's bleak, yet uplifting, brutal but so tender. The blurb is above so I won't go into the plot, but it is an immersive, epic story and I found myself unable to bear the tension at times, the harsh conditions and cruel treatment of prison inmates, by each other and the warders, making it difficult to listen to at certain points, yet unable to stop.

But there is light in here too and it comes in the form of a ghostly companion who guides poor Jess while revealing to us the worlds which lay within our unconscious dreaming minds.

M R Carey's writing is beautiful and persuasive, he really can carry a story. He must have done a great deal of research for Fellside to be so convincing, but it wears its learning lightly.

I think this is a more than worthy follow up to The Girl with all the Gifts, and I think it confirms the writer as a talented and genre-defying author of genius.

Highly recommended.

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6 people found this helpful

Not PERFECT.... just bloody wonderful

I loved this, it grabbed me, made me wait, entertained me, tantalised me, lead me on, twisted and turned, surprised me, put a lump in my throat, horrified me, and finally satisfied me with an ending that did the characters justice.

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1 person found this helpful

Intriguing from open to close.

Instantly hooked in to the beautiful, sad and violent lives of Jess and the inmates at Fellside. a fantastic book by an author rapidly climbing up my 'favourites' list.

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Really good interesting book a must read

I loved this book as well as the previous book by M.R. Carey. They are so different from any thing else I have listened to. If you like well written imaginative books this is for you.

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16 people found this helpful

Challenging to Listen To.

Loved the 'The Girl With All The Gifts' and looked forward to listening to a different book by this author. My experience when listening, although uncomfortable at times, the story certainly kept my attention going especially with the wonderful voice of Finty Williams. A book that gives you lots of pauses for thought when you are put into the shoes of someone else. There were some faults with the story itself, as it works hard to mix different genres together.

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5 people found this helpful

A gripping ghost story.

This is a real page turner. Brilliantly drawn characters and a clever plot. I really rooted al the way for the heroine and her ghost boy.

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1 person found this helpful