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By: Michael Magee
Narrated by: Conor MacNeill
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE ROONEY PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2023
WATERSTONES IRISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NERO BOOK AWARDS 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2023

Sean is back. Back in Belfast and back into old habits. Back on the mad all-nighters, the borrowed tenners and missing rent, the casual jobs that always fall through. Back in these scarred streets, where the promised prosperity of peacetime has never arrived. Back among his brothers, his ma, and all the things they never talk about. Until one night Sean finds himself at a party – dog-tired, surrounded by jeering strangers, his back against the wall – and he makes a big mistake.

'Staggeringly humane, unfaltering, taut and tender... [It] feels like that rarest of things: a genuinely necessary book' Guardian

'Every detail rings true, every character is fleshy and real and heartbreaking... Michael Magee has a remarkable talent' Sunday Times

©2023 Michael Magee (P)2023 Penguin Audio Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
This book made me really reflect on poverty and the cycles that people find themselves in. Whilst it tackled some really heavy themes it never felt hopeless.
I would recommend this book and think that the audio version is one of the best performances I’ve heard on Audible in a long long time!
Incredible!

Really made me think

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I’m only half way through but can’t wait to say how pleased I am with what I’m hearing. I grew up in west Belfast myself, albeit a long time ago (I’m nearly 70) and I’m enjoying so much the authentic speech and vivid sense of place, both geographically and in the distinctive culture.
You can’t escape the mountain - it’s at the bottom of every street. When the ma occasionally sells a painting it’s “Madonna, Gerry Adams, somebody’s Alsatian ..” Superbly observed. I’ll come back when it’s finished to share more.
A perfect reading from Conor MacNeill - what a relief they got somebody able to get the accents right while also reading with near flawless intelligence.

PS Just finished it and sorry it's over. Some people had said it's one of those books where nothing happens. i can understand their point but what does happen is much closer to life than in typical plots. It's not banal though.There are some very tense situations and in fact a lot of tensions underpin all of the everyday stuff. But it's more about gradually revealing more and more of the emotional core of the main characters and the histories which have moulded them. A couple of scenes really caught me off guard and brought tears to my eyes.

Authentic and skilful writing

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I thought this book was great - I really enjoyed it. You root for Sean to find his way.

Highly recommended

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I really enjoyed this debut by Michael Magee and thought the narration really brought it to life. 10/10 would recommend

Great story captured by an excellent narrator

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Understated writing in the best possible way. An accomplished novel that draws you in from the first paragraph. Wonderful narration.

Incredible Debut

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I loved this book.
Couldn’t stop listening until I’d finished it.
Believable characters in a story set in places I know so well having lived in the university area of Belfast.
I found it very moving.
I’m now at a loss as to what to read next.

Brilliant

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I'm not listening to this book for the 2nd time in as many weeks. I just love the story and can't help but like Sean and all around him. The narration is the best I've listened to. He tells the story brilliantly and the voices he does puts a face to the character. I hope to find more books about Belfast with him narrating.
Think it will be a book I will listen to quite a few times.
5*

Brilliant 👏

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I really loved it, the author has a beautiful writing style.

The voice actor is also incredible, I listened to this book in one day, I was absolutely hooked.

absolutely class

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I loved this book. Growing up in this era in Belfast the story sparked lots of memories.
I recognised all of the characters, as each layer was revealed about them - the mummy rang especially true.
I liked how it weaved in The Troubles, the impact they had on different generations and how this intertwined with socioeconomic status. Something that’s often overlooked in my opinion,
To me this book was a voice for many people that never got to be heard, who deserved to be.
The story was so well read - I was buzzing to hear it read by someone actually from the area. It made the it land all the better.

Brilliant listen! A voice that deserved to be heard

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Wonderful narration brings this story to life. The tale of modern Belfast is spot on and the characters are all very real. Great listen.

Great story

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