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Giving Up the Ghost
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Jane Wymark
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
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Summary
Opening with "A Second Home", in which Mantel describes the death of her stepfather, Giving Up the Ghost is a wry, shocking, and beautifully written memoir of childhood, ghosts (real and metaphorical), illness, and family. Finally, at the memoir's conclusion, Mantel explains how a series of medical misunderstandings and neglect left her childless, and how the ghosts of the unborn have come to haunt her life as a writer.
What listeners say about Giving Up the Ghost
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- Carole
- 03-11-22
Brilliant writing as usual from Hilary Mantel.
But once again spoiled by poor narration - so disappointing . While I was reading the actual book Icould hear HiloMa
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- Earnest
- 12-11-14
Acerbic but nice
What did you like most about Giving Up the Ghost?
The author's fiercely loud and beautiful use of words. They fight brilliantly with and for a hard life.
What did you like best about this story?
It is a prismatic, not " true" version of a life in depth..but of enormous value in breaking the ice in the ocean surrounding one's own life.
Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Jane Wymark?
Sorry, but it is over acted..a terrible no, no in a memoir of significance. The person who read Mantel's short stories was more realistic in her approach.
Any additional comments?
Listen to this and enjoy.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Marie Anna Alkan
- 25-10-22
Poignant and excellent as ever
I read this with a deep sense of sadness but in awe of her strength. I am terribly sad for the literary world to lose such an honest writer.
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- M J Tanea
- 14-03-20
Brilliant and moving !
This is a brilliant memoir from Hilary Mantel. On a personal note I can relate to her struggles very closely and there is much hope within the pages too. What an interesting and fascinating life. The narration is superb and I will definitely re-listen.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 16-01-23
Excellent enjoyed every moment
The trials, triumphs and tribulations of a childhood and early adulthood expertly expressed. I enjoyed every detail
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- Anonymous User
- 31-12-21
One of my best listens this year!
I really loved this! Very moving and beautifully written. Wonderful narration. One of the best I’ve listened to this year.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-04-21
I love Hilary Mantel
Hilary Mantel has to be one of the best, if not the best British author alive today.
Sharp, funny, kind and cutting. All the perceptive she applies to her novels is here.
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- C. F. Hankinson
- 07-05-23
brave and inspiring like the author
extraordinary recounting of Mantel's childhood. She skilfully tells all and keeps hidden. Proud but modest an absolute must read.
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- S.A.M
- 11-07-15
A Remarkable Book
Loved this book. The Author has not forgotten what it is like to be child. She writes so well about her observations and understandings as a child while practicing the art of behaving as adults expect. Parts are funny. Her medical history is appalling and arouses enormous sympathy. Although she takes some responsibility on herself for the lack of diagnosis she really shouldn't. However, if she hadn't suffered so much we may not have had the wonderful author of to day but have been admiring from afar a very able barrister! Many more lives are touched as a result of her shaming medical treatment.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Easy6
- 10-01-23
Perfect
A consumately skilled and profound author with a sympathetic reader. Thank you for making it unabridged.
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