Déjà vu all over again

A well written book, based on an interesting premise: whenever Harry August dies, he is reborn as himself, back in the original year of his birth, to relive his life. Each time, he can live his life slightly differently, but with each rebirth, history is reset (with the exception of his memories). The book builds nicely throughout, with a couple of interesting plot twists, towards a climactic but thought-provoking ending.

This book reminded me a little of the Time Traveller's Wife, although I found the "time travel" aspect of this plot a lot easier to follow!

20 people found this helpful

A good one!

Harry keeps getting a "do-over". And what to do when you are constantly reborn and into the same time period, and the same life?

My initial thoughts were that it was just a better version of Groundhog Day. Next I thought it was possibly a little bit predictable, ie if you get to see the same period of history over and over, should you meddle or not, what if others meddle, etc...? Therefore, not too many new ideas to hook me, but it was pleasant enough listening.

And then in the second half of the book, it all seemed to come together and took off. Absolutely compelling, cleverly done, and well narrated. The central characters are excellent. I can't say anything else without spoiling it, so I'll leave it to the blurb and other reviewers to give more hints.

The narration is good - occasionally the accents weren't brilliant, but it never distracted from the story. The narrator's voice really suited the main character and the consistency of his nature.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Very much worth the credit.

22 people found this helpful

2014, best performance - Kenny, best book - North

What did you like most about The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August?

As everyone has said. It was a very interesting concept wonderfully executed. I'm not a fan of science fiction or fantasy and this book is entirely without dragons or convenient inventions to make the plot move forward. There were no logic holes or fudges to let the book down. This all ignores the important bit - it was so well written (and read) that I didn't notice how well written (and read) it was! Truly, an excellent book - I would recommend it to anyone, whatever your favorite genre. It will stay with me for a long time, and my memory is awful, so that's saying something.

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?

Peter Kenny played every character so expertly that when he had to read entire passages in five or six different voices I knew each character distinctly and without any hesitation. This will be the audiobook I will gift to my friends to get them into audio. I haven't heard anything better (I've listened to well over 500 audiobooks).

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

If there were awards (there probably are) Peter Kenny should get one for this reading. I'm sure Claire North will be receiving many for the book.

10 people found this helpful

dont think to hard

Would you listen to The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August again? Why?

never listen to books twice

What did you like best about this story?

narration was good,playing with ideas repeating the story was interesting

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?

his female supporters at the chronos club

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

i think as a film it would be a little confusing, a little like 12 monkeys on acid

Any additional comments?

good story, being a little scientific I wanted to know how the process of repeating time worked but had to content myself with just being part of a good yarn, no real answers at the end. I noticed the lead character said` I am what I am` which was what God said to Moses at the Burning bush!

7 people found this helpful

Anything but repetitive

I was surprised that another reader found it a bit repetitive as I didn't. The pace and tension escalated perfectly, leaving me exhausted from lack of sleep. It is an extraordinary book and I can't recommend it enough, Having Peter Kenny reading it was a bonus. The book of the year.

11 people found this helpful

Original and compelling

I bought this book because I wanted something a bit different, and it didn't disappoint. It's an interesting concept, which I won't give away in this review, and the way that concept is used to drive the plot is clever and must have taken a lot of planning. Although the ideas are complicated, I found the plot easy to follow and enjoyed the shifts between times and lives. I found the characters compelling, and some of the ethical issues thought provoking. Overall I thought it was very entertaining, well written and voiced. I'll definitely be listening to more of Claire North's work.

11 people found this helpful

I loved this story

I really compelling and interesting story. I was very intrigued by the use of time. It was a great listen well performed and beautifully paced

4 people found this helpful

Wonderful in every way

Would you consider the audio edition of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August to be better than the print version?

Difficult to say. I have a vivid imagination and through that I picture the story's protagonists but in saying that the Narrator painted a different picture in my mind to the one I might have done had I read the book. This is no way is meant to be detrimental to the audio edition. The narrator was excellent, and every character had it's own personality, by age, by gender, by trait. It took us through the 20th century time after time, and each journey painted a different story. I loved it, every second. Buy it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August?

Harry's ongoing relationship with his nemesis

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?

Harry, without doubt.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Losing his wife, his mind and his 3rd life

4 people found this helpful

I will read this again in my next life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book got me thinking about everything, it's that rare type of book that both entertains and makes you question what would you do? sit back and enjoy all the benefits of the world today and not bother about the future after we are gone. Or like Harry endure many horrors to make the future a better place

What other book might you compare The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August to, and why?

It's like no other that I have read

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of it

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me smile

Any additional comments?

This made me think what would I do if I had the chance to do it all agian

4 people found this helpful

Perfect Audiobook

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recomend it. The storyline is wonderfully imaginative. The pace carries you along - wanting to engage. The narrator is pitch perfect and adding to the story with his voice-acting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

August - main character - the I of the story

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?

as above

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Reboot

Any additional comments?

This is the best science fiction novel I have come accross for a very long time. Highly recommended!

19 people found this helpful