Grandmothers

They stories in the book were very good. Only it jumped across to different grandmothers too much. Sometimes hard to follow

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A masterpiece of evocative storytelling

In this skilful interweave of narratives Sally Vickers has created a stunningly atmospheric novel.

I heard about this book when the author was interviewed on BBC R4 Women’s Hour. ‘Not just about or for Grandmothers!’

I loved hearing her characters’ inner lives, their interactions, the familial relationships and responsibilities.
Such a clever writer, using settings to which many of her readers would have also used as personal pilgrimages or rights of passage!

Great listening, but now I want to own the book & read her words for myself.

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2 people found this helpful

excellent narration

Love love love this narrator please can we have more of her .lovely book also

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2 people found this helpful

A gorgeous book

I really enjoyed this little gem.
Like a lot who have read this, I am grandmother and I was drawn to it as soon as I saw it, an while reading/listening found I related to all three of the grandmothers in some way
Lovely feel good read, recommend

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Worth it for the acute observations

The grandmothers, Nan, Blanche & Minna, have close relationships with respectively Billy, Kitty and Rose, much closer than those between the children and their parents. All their lives become intertwined and they have fun expeditions, holidays, theatre trips and sleepovers - but surely I'm not the only grandmother listening who finds Sally Vickers' trio unrealistic in their physical energy & total absorption in their grandchildren?

Some of their trips and treats are slightly saccharine, and a Granny who drunk drives her grandchildren as Blanche did should not find her daughter-in-law's hostility unreasonable, as Blanche does. So there are limitations, but the whole is worth it for the scattered acute observations on topics such as the tricky relationship between an adoring mother and her son once that son is middle aged and the mother now an uncomprehending grandmother; the difficulties experienced by grandmothers observing what they see as parental failings of their grown-up children; of the pain suffered by 'other women' like Minna facing a childless old age having been thrown over by the married love of her life when he returns to his wife.

Overall, this is enjoyable, gentle, entertaining, thoughtful - although only sporadically thought-provoking. Barbara Flynn is a sympathetic, pleasantly modulated narrator without being spineless (often a trap), and she's excellent with dialogue.

Listening to Grandmothers is very pleasant on a day when it's drizzling, dank and dark by 4pm!

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2 people found this helpful

Sculptor reader

Really enjoyable book, beautifully read by Barbara Flynn. The story was light and entertaining though I found the number of characters rather confusing- probably my fault. I shall look for other titles by this author.

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Fab reading of a lovely book

Sally Vickers on great form, full of wisdom and humanity, and Barbara Flynn is a delight to listen to.

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Wonderful novel

I loved every moment of this lovely story. The narrator was a perfect choice. I didn't want it to end.

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lovely, sharing in these ladies lives briefly

a great experience. the narrator really took you into these ladies lives. sweet story, not life changing but funny, poignant and sad all in 7 hours.

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Lovely writing

A beautifully written story I love this author’s writing style
The places visited how become a little personal bucket list now

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