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This Is Not a Pity Memoir
- Narrated by: Fiona Button
- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Relationships, Parenting & Personal Development, Personal Development
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- By Henry Ves on 23-05-22
Summary
An ordinary day. The end of ordinary life.
One morning in June, Abi had her to-do list—drop the kids to school, get coffee and go to work. Jacob had a bad headache so she added 'pick up steroids'. She returned home and found the man she loved and fought and laughed with for 20 years lying on the bathroom floor.
And nothing would ever be the same again.
But this is not a pity memoir. It's about meeting your person. And crazed late-night Google trawls. It's about the things you wished you'd said to the person who matters then wildly over-sharing with the barista who doesn't know you at all. It's about sushi and the wrong shoes and the moments you want to shout 'cut'. It's about the silence when you are lost in space and the importance of family and parties and noise.
It's the difference between surviving and living. It's a reminder that, even in the worst times, there is light ahead.
It's a love story.
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What listeners say about This Is Not a Pity Memoir
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- POINT OF VIEW
- 22-05-22
Honoured to share this story.
I had no prior knowledge of Abi Morgan’s story, in fact, I had to stop listening and Google to be sure this was really a true story and not a novel. Wow! My goodness, so poignant, personal and frank. So beautifully written and amazingly not bitter! I am naturally sympathetic, I know that she isn’t looking for that, although I almost feel guilty to say I enjoyed listening to Abi’s story. Writing it was her therapy, and source of strength to keep sane and strong, just like her daughters voice messages to her dad. Those lovely children, a credit to both Abi and Jacob. A personal story, I feel honoured to have shared.
2 people found this helpful
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- AC
- 15-05-22
This really is a stunning piece of work!
I was in two minds about buying this book - whilst I love Abi Morgan’s work, I thought this could only prove to be a harrowing picture of the family’s life and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on that journey with Abi and her family. But then, she’s a glorious writer, so what the hell, if anyone could make this material transformative, it’s Abi Morgan!
It’s a spiky, angry yet tender and moving account of what the family went through together over a period of around three years, it’s truthful, at times gut wrenching but the strength and love of their family and friends exudes from the page. It’s definitely a story that needed to be told. It’s an astonishingly brave thing to do, opening up your life to others during the most traumatic period you’ve ever experienced and say - well, this is us - for better or for worse.
I found the book sharp, funny and ironic in places, I learned that in times of real adversity it brings sufficient strength and love to the surface to just get stuck in and keep battling against the odds.
If this work is made into a screenplay, I hope it wins awards - and for Jacob I hope those award ceremonies bring cake, lots and lots of cake!
Wonderfully sympathetic reading of the material by Fiona Button.
1 person found this helpful
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- Duncan Barrett
- 01-08-22
Wonderful book
It’s an incredible story, beautifully written. And the narration is excellent too. Best book I’ve listened to all year.
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- Katie Mo
- 30-07-22
Beautifully written
Just loved this book. Was so well written and the narrator read it beautifully that made it so thought provoking and a complete joy to listen to. I loved every minute of it and laughed and cried reading it. It’s so well observed and often moments is so relatable that I found myself thinking I have thought that. Beautiful beautiful book.
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- Anonymous User
- 29-07-22
Heart wrenching true story, brilliantly written
Captivating from the first word. I was totally drawn into the complex lives of these true characters. Having finished the book I feel uplifted by their strength and resolve to survive the incredibly difficult hand of life they have been dealt. Yet another brilliant piece of story telling by Abi Morgan.
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-07-22
So beautiful!
You won’t regret listening to this glorious book. Full to the brim of love, loss and hope. It’s a beauty
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- cblock
- 24-07-22
Profound
Couldn’t recommend more. Very honest account of raw and painful experiences. Beautifully written and performance was very good.
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- H. Porter
- 13-07-22
Compelling
Unsentimental and truthful. A tough read but rewarding. Deadpan humour smattered here and there lifts the narrative.
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-07-22
Honest and heartwarming
A beautiful account evoking tears and smiles alternately. Thank you for sharing such an incredibly personal and challenging episode in your family’s lives.
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- Semer 57
- 26-06-22
A must read!!
Brilliant, honest, forthright, distressing, life affirming and superbly written. Thank you Abi for sharing yours, Jesse, Mabel and Jacob’s journey with the world. This is definitely NOT a pity memoir!!