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The Swimming Pool Library
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
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The Swimming Pool Library
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- common reader
- 14-01-09
Gay lit. of the highest order
Alan Hollinghurst cleverly structures his story to provide a representation of homosexual lives over several generations. Older gay men reading this novel will recognise the signs of the changing times and, I hope, rejoice at the emergence of freedoms so abundantly enjoyed by the likes of the narrator.
I do not agree with the previous reviewer that the sex scenes are done in "the best possible taste". They are described realistically and honestly in the way that such scenes rarely are, be the fiction gay or straight. No adult should be shocked by the acts, but rather by the honesty.
Samuel West's reading is sympathetic and absorbing, though a little lacking in characterisation for a first-person narrative.
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17 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 29-08-08
Interesting story, often tender, always funny.
Interesting story, well written, often tender, always funny. Probably not recommended for non-gay listeners (but give it a go if you're at all curious). Colourful descriptions of sexual activity, all done in the best possible taste, of course. If you listen to it in public, make sure the volume of your player is low enough (or you will get some funny looks). Excitable listeners may wish to place a briefcase or jacket on their lap if listening to it on public transport.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- MR
- 14-09-12
Funny and Warming
Really enjoyed listening to this book. The characters are interesting and believable, especially Will who I think most people will be able to liken to a friend of their own. Think I have a good incite into what the gay scene was a few decades ago in middle class London. Felt a little cheated with a sudden ending, really wanted more. Other than that a really great 12 hours listening to this great story.
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6 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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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lucy
- 20-09-16
Wonderful voice acting
Absolutely perfect voicing for Hollinghurst. Please do more! This book captures a beautiful part of the human condition flawlessly. I didn't want it to end.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Melanie
- 11-09-11
The sex gets tedious
I feel like I wasted a credit on this so was compelled to write a review. I'm sure it is a great novel: it seems to be well-written and is beautifully read. However, I found it hard to follow the plot or sustain interest because of the continual sex scenes, which are described in detail, and were very boring to listen to. A previous review pointed this out and I have to agree. Maybe it would be of more interest if I were a gay man but it definitely wasn't for me.
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5 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
- Anthony
- 08-06-19
Terrible ending!
Really enjoyed Sam West’s incredible narration but was often bored by this book and the ending was truly abysmal! Nothing was resolved and it seemed Hollinghurst had simply run out of ideas about where to take the narrative and simply gave up
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4 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
- Jessica
- 07-01-17
Exquisite
A perfect experience. Samuel West's narration is very Hollinghurstian. I love this intriguing, gripping, moving book and this brilliant performance. The sex bits are genius and so are all the little jokes.
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3 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
- J. Haggerty
- 16-04-15
Still superb after 20 years
A compelling and sexy novel which raises complex issues around clad, sexuality and race. Samuel West's narration is perfect and nothing short of stunning.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ben carey
- 31-10-19
Beautiful Literary depiction of 80’s London
I loved the author’s provocative use of rhetoric and hyperbole - a true classic. To be objective there’s certainly a lot of meaninglessness gay sex in here but the depiction feels honest, not gratuitous. I wasn’t too sold on the ending (too many unanswered questions) but that’s just me. You can’t detract from Hollinghurst’s deft, important and ambitious prose.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- linda
- 02-01-12
A consummate talent
Wonderful book, perfectly narrated. I was so grateful for it's length, not wanting to let go. Can't help but feel that AH's (stunningly written) graphic and lengthy descriptions of sexual encounters have to be self indulgence; if so, he richly deserves this pleasure. (I am a female heterosexual, just for the record) I only wish that Samuel West had narrated H's other novels - for me the two are forever joined.
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2 people found this helpful