Absolutely loved this book.

I read/listened to countless books in 2918. This has to be the best one for me. Loved everything about it. Narration was superb - thank you

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1 person found this helpful

Left Too Long Before Reading/Listening

This is a full and rewarding listening experience. There are so many reasons to buy this novel to listen to: the performer in Stephen Pacey is first rate with great intelligence, empathy and skill in realising the characters; Rose Tremain is a gifted and wholly reliable author; the journey of the main character is well drawn, and - above all else involves the reader; there is much humour as well as some sorrows. It is a touching and rewarding near fifteen hours of listening. Some may think the characters are drawn in broad brush-strokes; not for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed entering and inhabiting the world of this book. And luckily, I have more Rose Tremain novels to relish, and ‘Islands of Mercy’ will soon be published.

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A churned out piece

This is a just-about-bearable listen, the unfolding of Lev's journey should keep you interested enough to continue but as the spool of the tale unwinds, you will encounter such bizarre character shapes and conversational set-pieces so at odds with anything resembling reality, that it starts to jar the narrative flow. Such a hotch-potch and baffling set of characters who behave in ways unlike how they have been presented There's many Idiot Abroad situations, bafflingly juxtaposed with decisions so at odds with the character traits the author has supplied us with.
A glaring example happens when Lev suddenly develops an ability to negotiate a higher rate of pay. Given his previous obsequious behaviours this was thoroughly unbelievable and felt like a rushed way into the happy ending.
Thus because of the lack of character depth and understanding, the book comes across, in the end, as a hastily researched churn-out piece. Another couple of months fleshing out believable characters would have resulted in a much richer and more meaningful book.

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2 people found this helpful

I loved this so much!

This is a wonderful story, beautifully read and brought to life by the narrator. I enjoyed every moment and was sad to finish it. Tenderly written but not sentimental, it's impossible not to become absorbed by Lev and the people he meets on his road home. Brilliant, funny, and intimate. Highly recommended!

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Once upon a time -Russian princess-man in London

Badly written book...sorry...
Where about you find Russian man in London acting as this one and in such a progressive niceness.
Everything about him is rosy pinky glittery.Brits are not so glossy...
Silly silly book....

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Conflicted!

I don’t usually wrote reviews for books, only for those I find either superb or dreadful. So why ‘conflicted’?
Because this book is almost superb - well crafted and written, beautiful characterisation, an absorbing and uplifting story yet not without some of the messiness and difficulties that real life brings with it, in all a lovely find. But there were also a few small vignettes that were, frankly, unpleasant that just stopped this being a five star book and made me drop a star.
They were few and brief ,and it could be argued that they were necessary to the story but, for me, a little unnecessarily detailed. However, all in all a lovely book!

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A wonderful story

I was nearly put off by the swearing but I am glad I persevered. Not only was it a good story but it really made me think.

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Marvellous.

An interesting, twisting story with laughs and melancholy. Best book I have heard this year.

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The Road Home

I love this book. The characters are so real that I feel quite sad to think they aren't really out there somewhere continuing with their lives! I don't think I will ever look at foreign workers again without wondering what personal stories have brought them to this country. I finished listening to this book a couple of days ago and keep thinking about it. Proof surely, that this is an excellent novel.

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19 people found this helpful

Wonderful!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Fantastic characters, brilliant storyline and usual excellence from Rose Tremain.

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