Beautiful Story

I loved listening to this, it was perfect to listen to while at home, driving, dog walking, shopping etc. I highly recommend it. The characters were realistic but also likeable, which is important!

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Thought provoking

I really loved this book, so nice talk about love that isn’t always the romantic kind, and to see women as the story not just accessories to men. It brought back fond and not so fond memories so at times a little hard going, not the authors fault. Thanks

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Gorgeous

I loved this book. Beautifully written, it transports you to the time and place as if you were inside the story. The characters were exquisitely drawn and I found myself invested in the story and the outcome. I especially felt the weight of the sadness in the story which I can still feel even now, having finished the book. So well done, avoiding over sentimentality but portraying the emotions perfectly. A special mention to the narrator who was exceptionally good. Highly recommend.

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Amazing book

This was unexpected at the beginning but so beautifully written with characters you desperately wanted to know I actually shed a tear I loved Ellen with whole my heart I must also say the narrative was just amazing beyond good

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So enjoyable.

Enjoyed this book. Really couldn’t stop listening. Read by the narrators very well, each person in the book had their own character voice. Would recommend this book especially for those of an older age.

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An absolute joy of an audiobook

Having downloaded several titles in a row and had to return a couple and not enjoyed the others much, it was such a joy to come across ‘We Must Be Brave’ by Frances Liardet. Beautifully read with tenderness and poise by the narrators and with prose honed with the skill and care of a master craftsman, this was one of my favourite books of the year so far. The south coast setting is evoked with such authenticity it’s clear the author knows the area well and her characters spring to life so we feel for them - in particular Ellen, the protagonist - as we would ourselves. Liardet has an exceptional gift when it comes to conveying the passions and idiosyncrasies of children and the little details that make up our lives - from rough blankets to Curly Wurlies - and I really would urge anyone who is interested in emotional interior life, the history of Britain and parenting by those who are not the ‘natural’ parents to read this wonderful novel. In this respect it may particularly tug at the heartstrings of stepparents, adoptive parents, foster carers and their charges, plus those experiencing fertility issues, though I cannot promise it won’t make such readers cry - it had me blubbing as I did the ironing. The author, like me, is the daughter of parents who lived through the Second World War and were profoundly impacted by it, and readers/listeners with that background may find strong resonance too. That I messaged Frances to say I’d loved it and she responded within the hour only enhanced my sense of the preciousness of the experience, and I hope others find their way to it and feel as moved as I did.

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1 person found this helpful

Fabulous

I listened to this on audio and thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, beautiful prose and a great performance from the narrator.

A moving and gentle story of love, loss and understanding told for the most part through the eyes of Ellen, spanning her lifetime but focussing mainly on the years when she was caring for a young child. Would very much recommend.

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Must we always be brave?

Wow, this was a beautiful book. I was worried that this might be chick-lit for older women, but it was so much more than that.

Before I speak about the book I would like to mention the simply marvelous narration. The child voices for the young Pamela and Penny were very good. I find so often that narrators screech children's voices which is like finger nails down a blackboard.

The bulk of the story is told over many years covering pre WW2 to 2010 and charts the life of Ellen Parr, her marriage to Selwyn, their lives in Southampton and her encounter with Pamela an abandoned child on a bus during the war. Ellen encounter another child later named Penny who she also took under her wing.

There are some happy and sad times during the book which will tug at your emotions but on the whole it is very endearing without being sickly sweet.

Highly recommend.

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3 people found this helpful

Fabulous

Such a complete joy from start to finish! My husband, daughter and I listened to this on a long car journey and we all loved it. A lovely gentle story, but not without twists and drama. Evocative and beautifully written, I adored every minute. Very often I find the narration can be irritating, but this was perfect. I’m going to buy the hard copy for a few people. Five stars all round

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Beautiful!!

Absolutely beautifully written and read! This story touched my heart and actually made me cry!

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