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  • I'll Die After Bingo

  • My unlikely life as a care home assistant
  • By: Pope Lonergan
  • Narrated by: Pope Lonergan
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)
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I'll Die After Bingo cover art

I'll Die After Bingo

By: Pope Lonergan
Narrated by: Pope Lonergan
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Resident: 'I feel I want to keep talking.'

Me: 'Of course! What do you want to talk about?'

Resident: 'My heart.'

Me: 'What about your heart?'

Resident: 'I feel I want to touch it.'

Me: 'Your heart? You want to touch your heart?'

Resident: 'Yes, but I'm too frightened.'

Me: 'What are you frightened about?'

Resident: 'Everything. People. Things.'

Me: 'What's frightening you at this very moment?'

Resident: (closes eyes). 'That I'll never be touched again. That I won't be able to get to my heart.'

Me: 'Metaphorically?'

Resident: 'More carrots please.'

Whether he's initiating a coup d'état against new regulations with the residents or forging a bond with the 98-year-old who once called him a fat slut, Pope Lonergan's work is infinitely varied. This no-holds-barred account shows what life inside a care home is really like, for both residents and carers. Featuring night-time drama, incontinence pads and the uniquely dark humour of one double-amputee Alzheimer's patient, here you can learn everything you ever wanted to know (and a few things you probably really didn't) about Britain's care system.

This important memoir challenges us all to think differently about the value of our elderly, and also the carers who look after them.

©2022 Pope Lonergan (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"From fearless and funny to heart-stoppingly raw." (Evening Standard)

What listeners say about I'll Die After Bingo

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great in sight

loved it what an in sight , couldn't stop listening simply amazing brilliantly done

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best book I have ever come accross. Stunning.

Pope has a unique voice. His writing is superb and his experience in the care sector makes this one of the most potent books on the subject of humanity. Please read it - we should all read this and understand what happens in care homes and how important workers like Pope are in caring for our loved ones.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A beautifully-written & brutally honest must-read

This is one of those books that EVERYONE should read, not least because 99% of us will either end up in a care home, or know & love someone else who will. It is by turns an unflinchingly honest, dark, raw, moving and often very funny reflection on the British care system, and how society views and values those who work in it, and its residents. It's not a saccharin or saintly treatise, and is thoroughly grounded by the writer's brutal honesty on his own flaws and struggles, and the too-frequent greedy disdain of those responsible for social care policy, services and facilities. A wonderful book in its own right, I loved the extra dynamic and humour Pope's narration of the audiobook brought to his words.

Chapeau Pope, you should very proud of creating such a beautiful and affecting piece of work - I'm sure I'm not the only one it will stay with forever.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Health care story

I have worked in care as a senior manager for 20 years, Popes book is a true reflection of working tue floor for care staff ! Loved it

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • C
  • 19-07-22

Refreshingly real

Popes honesty and openness about his own personality and struggles are a refreshing change from the norm. A great read and insight in to the care industry. I tip my hat to Pope and all the Popes working hard and wiping all the arses that people like me wince at.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A brilliant insight into the world of carework

Insightfull, both funny and sad. a very entertaining, must read. As an audio book itbis well read/performed by the author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

what an account

great book and account of what it is like for care workers that work in care homes and are more often than not considered the lowest form of employment. excellently told and a book everyone should read.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected

I feel a bit disloyal given the subject matter but to be fair this was at times a book on philosophy rather than the nitty gritty of life and work within the care (or don’t care) system. Pope should have let someone else narrate, his style isn’t right for audio, it made me cringe at times. One things for sure, no care home for me, I would rather die, before, during or after bingo.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad, but better books you could read..

Fair play, the guy has had a tough life and a tough job, but the book was overly flamboyant in terminology and description.

Lots of times he goes into unnecessary descriptive rants for mundane things and it’s does seem like he’s really trying too hard, it was needed.

The book is fine, it doesn’t give any real insight into the profession other than it’s underpaid and hard..

I think he could have done so much more with this… but doesn’t

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