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The Railway Man

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The Railway Man

By: Eric Lomax
Narrated by: Bill Paterson
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About this listen

A naive young man, a railway enthusiast and radio buff, was caught up in the fall of the British Empire at Singapore in 1942. He was put to work on the 'Railway of Death' - the Japanese line from Thailand to Burma.

Exhaustively and brutally tortured by the Japanese for making a crude radio, Lomax was emotionally ruined by his experiences. Almost 50 years after the war, however, his life was changed by the discovery that his interrogator, the Japanese interpreter, was still alive - their reconciliation is the culmination of this extraordinary story.

©1995 Eric Lomax (P)2011 Random House Audio Go Asia Europe Japan Military Military & War World War II War Singapore Railroad Imperialism Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Veteran Transportation

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All stars
Most relevant  

If you could sum up The Railway Man in three words, what would they be?

Gripping, moving and compelling

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lomax himself, his command of the prose and descriptive ability put you alongside him as he travels his lifes' path

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

When he finally forgave his nemesis

Any additional comments?

I can only recommend that you purchase and listen to this book. You will be moved.

Masterly

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I could not stop listening to this fantastic book. A brilliant insight into a period of modern history that must never be forgotten. Written so fluently and Bill Paterson's narration is excellent.

Riverting, Captivating, Inspiring

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Where does The Railway Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 3.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is bravely told by someone who has suffered trauma. It is very moving, well written and compelling.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I found all of the book interesting. It is a journey and no scene stands out. It is all relevant.

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

I would if I had the time!

Any additional comments?

A wonderful book.

Moving story, well told and read.

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This book has been a privilege to listen to. I cannot imagine the strength of character this took to complete.

Privilege

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It's tough to listen to in many places- a mans true account of being a pow in Japan. But it is a hope filled book and has a hope filled ending. Worth reading and educational too

Honest account, heavy going but well written

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a story of survival, comradeship and forgiveness. very well narrated, I would recommend to anyone

harrowing story

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this story was fascinating of one mans experience through capture, the strength to survive the brutality astounds me and to forgive.rest in peace Mr lomax.

on the narrator bill patersons reading was brilliant and never dull great.

the railway man<br />

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Such a wonderful story of pain and forgiveness! I loved it and will listen again



Beautiful

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loved it. very hard listening at times. opens your eyes to what really went on

whow

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

This is a truly harrowing telling of those men who were tortured to death in their thousands for the completion of the Burmese railway track. And yet the story is told with such honest and positive detail that it remains in the heart and mind long after the last chapter.

What did you like best about this story?

If you have heard this story only from published films it will be an eye opener for you into what really happened during this brutal regime. The story is one of compassion and understanding with an ending which is as unexpected as it is satisfying.

Have you listened to any of Bill Paterson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of Bill Paterson's other performances but found that his steady, calm tones perfectly measure the mental landscape of this prisoner of war as he struggles to remain human in the most inhuman of circumstances and later attempts to reintegrate back into a society that did not understand how to heal his mental wounds.

Any additional comments?

This is not the kind of book I would normally read but the story was well constructed and I was propelled towards the last sentence of the book wanting more yet feeling exhausted with the journey. I will certainly be listening to this again.

The Railway Man

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