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Shrines of Gaiety
- Narrated by: Jason Watkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
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Shrines of Gaiety
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
1926, and in a country still recovering from the Great War, London has become the focus for a delirious new nightlife. In the clubs of Soho, peers of the realm rub shoulders with starlets, foreign dignitaries with gangsters and girls sell dances for a shilling a time.
The notorious queen of this glittering world is Nellie Coker, ruthless but also ambitious to advance her six children, including the enigmatic eldest, Niven whose character has been forged in the crucible of the Somme. But success breeds enemies and Nellie's empire faces threats from without and within. For beneath the dazzle of Soho's gaiety, there is a dark underbelly, a world in which it is all too easy to become lost.
With her unique Dickensian flair, Kate Atkinson brings together a glittering cast of characters in a truly mesmeric novel that captures the uncertainty and mutability of life; of a world in which nothing is quite as it seems.
Critic reviews
"This is the perfect novel for uncertain times."(The Times)
"I can think of few writers other than Dickens who can match it." (Sunday Times)
"Brilliant." (Richard Osman)
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What listeners say about Shrines of Gaiety
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paula Caven-Lewis
- 11-10-22
A Magical Listen!
Loved every listening minute, Kate Atkinson at her very best. I will return to “Shrines of Gaiety” in the future, but I envy You who will listen for the very first time.
Absolutely Wonderful! ❤️.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cliente Amazon
- 03-10-22
A joy
The Great Kate does it again, and here with a truly excellent narrator. Happy listening!
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Orvieto
- 16-12-22
I love Kate Atkinson!!
Oh how I love Kate Atkinson books, always very droll and a bit quirky. The first few chapters are a tad confusing, but then it gets into its stride. As with most of her books the mother Nellie is not in the least maternal, also we have detective Frobisher, shades of a 1920’s Jackson Brodie ( just my opinion ) the book has the usual mix of droll humour and underlying sensitivity. Interesting 1920’s period setting and the author explains more at the end.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Tamarisk
- 11-11-22
Disappointing
Having started this after reading the many excellent reviews I was disappointed and gave up on it after a few chapters. Boring, unnecessary detail and no storyline developing. No depth of characters evolving.
A lack of expression in the rather dull and sing song narration.
Not one of Kate Atkinsons best novels, not helped by poor narration.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nicola
- 17-10-22
Wonderful writing style
This story transported me to another time and place. Jason Watkins is the perfect narrator.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- kate harrison
- 15-10-22
brilliant
such a good story and a great narrator. the period in which it is set is one of my favourites and each character is a winner!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- John Saltford
- 16-10-22
I cared about all the characters
I really enjoyed this book because the characters are so well drawn. Nothing jarred and their motivations and actions flowed well. I googled roaring 20s to see what the clubs looked like. It seems to me that not much has changed in a century
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 14-10-22
Fabulous!
As always, a wonderful, immersive and surprising book from Kate Atkins, beautifully read by Jason Watkins. Intriguing story, unforgettable characters and a glimpse into a forgotten world.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- the typist
- 14-10-22
Sublime
Kate Atkinson is by far the finest British author working today. Despite this masquerading as a ‘crime’ novel, it’s actually a comedy of manners, an intimate portrait of mental health and loneliness, and a fascinating study of sexism & class war in the 1920s. The writing is, as usual, superb, the characterisation is spot-on and the story rolls along like the Thames - which lurks in and out of the tale like an extra protagonist. I loved it!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shropshire Lass
- 08-02-23
Wonderful!
This amazing looping intricate story was a joy. And the narration was fantastic. I was sad when it ended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julia
- 05-01-23
Kate Atkinson - delivers again
Great writing and perfect narration.
Excellent - definitely a great read.
Cant wait for her next book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Mary O. Flanagan
- 16-12-22
Kate Atkinson on top form as usual
Ever since her debut, Kate Atkinson has been one of my favourite authors. This is as good as the masterpiece, Behind-the-scenes at the Museum.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It is a most engaging and moving piece of work.
Gwendolyn Kelling is a wonderful creation as is Nelly Coker.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Louise
- 03-11-22
A triumph
Kate Atkinson has once again written a masterpiece . I was transported to the streets of London in the roaring twenties . She brings her character alive and I was obsessed with this book . Beautifully read as well . Now the wait for another Kate Atkinson .