excellent

this was a lovely story that i would widely reccomend. it is emotive but its strength is not being realustic rather than sensationalist or syrupy sweet. whist it is set in the 80's i think the experience of children in care has not changed signifigantly. the themes of identdy, belonging and human relationships are all explored artfully making for a good if at times emotional listern. Lenny Henry is one of my favourire narrator's and he has done an excellent job here with his characterisations, a subtle proformance which enhances the story

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6 people found this helpful

Get me more narrations by Lenny Henry!!

downloaded this book on the recommendation of YouTuber Lauren and the Books and was delighted with it.
It's sad and funny at the same time and gave me an insight into 80's Britain one I looked at through the TV as a child in Northern Ireland. Really made me think about a lot of things. This book is a must!

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4 people found this helpful

Fabulous book.

This book is wonderful. Full of surprises. Lenny Henry was easily the right narrator. Fantastic

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1 person found this helpful

excellent narration

an interesting story well written from the child's perspective. very well narrated by Lenny Henry.

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5 people found this helpful

Excellent story telling by Lenny Henry

I really enjoyed this book - not my usual choice of genre, but glad I read it, especially as an audible book. Kit de Waal has done a great job of writing this book, but I think Lenny Henry in his narration brought the characters to life.

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1 person found this helpful

Loved every second of this, it will stay with me.

Took me back to those days, everything about it resonated in terms of time, place, people, situations. It also became clear how little has changed since then in terms of racial intolerance and lack of support where it's needed among other things.

It was effortless to read and listen to, and a joy, despite the sadness, which was always there, but I could not love this book if I tried ... incredible close third person narration, giving the reader everything they need. I honestly will remember it forever.

Lennie Henry performed this book. In many guises. Brilliantly.

You love Leon from the start, in the tender scene between him and baby Jake. With his mother Carole so mentally unwell, bless her, he took on a huge responsibility that would challenge any adult, never mind a young boy of nine years old. He's my hero. It melts you, saddens you and inspires you. He was so grown up, he had to be, but there was always a little reminder that he is a child, one who was forced to overcome many obstacles in his young life.

I loved the attention to the smallest detail Leon noticed about everything and everyone around him even though his listening in gave him more trouble than he wanted. Everyone in this story has a purpose and place and no one stepped on the other's toes.

I love the way Kit de Waal brings the image of the Zebra, Earring, Tuftie in her writing, and Maureen (love her) and Sylvia (got to love her, eventually!) allowing us to see life in this traumatic situation from the child's viewpoint yet removed enough that we get to know the bigger picture, which Leon wouldn't have been able to do if the narrator was in first person. I had a feeling Mr Delvlin was a good guy and there was some awful history there.

This is a story of hope, courage, acceptance, love and more. It is a masterpiece in my eyes.

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Moving account of a child’s point of view while being fostered.

Leon is a child trying his best to make sense of his reality while being let down by his mother who is incapable of looking after him and his baby brother. The writer manages to give us a look inside the child’s head, showing how he thinks and feels during a harrowing childhood. Very moving book.

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fantastic !!

I dont usually write reviews but this is one of the best books ive had on here,brilliant story that will have you laughing and crying.Lenny Henry is the best narrator ever ,such feeling in his voice .

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Best audio book I’ve ever listened to

The story is incredible and Lenny Henry is extraordinarily good. His character voices are all authentic, and none more so than the voice of Leon. The story is so compelling that, although I tried to ration it, I failed. I can’t recommend it highly enough, I feel forever changed for reading it.

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What an emotional book.

I don't often review a book before I finish it but with this one I just can't resist. I am in the process of listening to the Audio book as I type this review.

Firstly what a beautiful and emotional story. Their is everything in this book.

This is the story of 9 year old Leon, Leon is black and his baby brother Jake is White. When Leon's mother is unable to take care of them due to mental health conditions it's decided by social services that Jake has a better chance of finding a family so decide to split him and Leon up, it's clear that it's because of their difference in colour.

Leon adores Jake and took care of both him and his mother. This is the story of Leon finding himself and his way home. If he did not have Maureen in his life and the friends he met through gardening I dread to think how Leon would have ended up. I already get the sense from reading the book that I'm going to be disappointed by the end which is such a shame as this is an amazing story.

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