Original Sins cover art

Original Sins

An Extraordinary Memoir of Faith, Family, Shame and Addiction

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Original Sins

By: Matt Rowland Hill
Narrated by: Daniel Hawksford
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

'Isn't everyone's childhood an indoctrination in the more or less deranged outlook of the people who raised them? And isn't growing up for everyone a more or less successful attempt to overcome their conditioning and see clearly, with their own eyes?'

Matt Rowland Hill grew up the son of a minister in an evangelical Christian church in South Wales and then South-East England. It was a childhood fraught with bitter family conflict, the ever-present threat of hell and damnation, and a burgeoning cycle of temptation, sin and shame. After a devastating loss of faith in his late teens, Matt began his search for salvation elsewhere, turning to books before developing a growing relationship with alcohol and drugs. He became addicted to crack and heroin in his early 20s, an ordeal that stretched over a decade and culminated in a period of hopeless darkness. This story takes us to his bleakest, most desperate moments and recounts his struggle towards the light.

Original Sins is an extraordinary memoir. It is a story of faith, family, loss, shame and addiction, but ultimately it is about survival, growing up and learning to live. It's recklessly honest, as funny as it is grave, courageous and compulsive.

©2022 Matt Rowland Hill (P)2022 Penguin Audio Christian Living Christianity Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant
I was engrossed from start to finish. Beautiful, raw, honest writing and a fascinating but devastating story. The narration was brilliant too…sensitively read with a gorgeous subtle, lilting welsh accent. I could listen to Daniel reading a shopping list!!
I saw this recommended in the week magazine as book of the week. So pleased I took heed of the recommendation.

Amazing

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A brilliant account of his life so far and in particular his struggles with addiction. Frequently very funny, there is plenty of light and shade which kept me listening for hours at a time. I found this to be a sensitive account which helped me to understand addiction and addictive behaviours more clearly. Matt has a tremendous gift for writing with energy and wit. I found this to be a very authentic account of his life and relationships. It’s so good I’m having trouble choosing my next audiobook. It will take time to let go of this experience. Great narration too by Daniel Hawksford

An authentic account of a life and it’s struggles

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I was reminded at times of Trainspotting, the drug use and squalor was similar at times. This story however patiently examined the past of the author in an interesting way that involved me throughout. An interesting listen that was well written and narrated.

An interesting autobiography

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This was the most realistic and honest story of a life led under extreme pressures. The writing was truly remarkable and it was beautifully brought to life by an incredible narrator. I’ve never been able to settle with an audio book until now. Highly recommended listening.

Harrowing, honest and beautiful

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There’s nothing to dislike or like (!) about this moving account of the authors illness. He takes you on a journey and you have to stay until the end.

An honest and relatable account of addiction

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A brilliantly written (and narrated) account of the author’s descent into addiction and his hard-won recovery. If you have any sort of addiction, know someone who has or just want a story of survival, told with brutal honesty, plenty of dark humour and hope when all seems lost, this is a must.

Brilliant account

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Compelling and honest with humorous moments. A little verbose at times but overall, the language is vivid and poetic.

Compelling and honest

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Simply put… a brilliant listen.
Daniel Hawksford reading of Matts wonderful book is perfect.
Beautifully written, both desperate and darkly funny.

Loved loved loved this audiobook.

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This is an amazing memoir about growing up in a dysfunctional, devoutly religious family, winning a scholarship to a very famous school, losing faith and descending into addiction. There have been some really good memoirs over the last few years, and quite a few written by people who are still relatively young, this one definitely stands-out. The inter-family dialogue that could be tedious is warm and engaging. There is real humour and heart in the narration - in places this is a very dark story, but it is also funny and beautiful.

Daniel Hawksford has done a brilliant job in voicing all of the characters, I love that South Walian accent.

What am I supposed to do now I've finished it?

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So addictive I slowed it down so it would last longer ! .. and Daniel Hawksford’s narration was just perfect !

Stunning writing & narration …

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