Holding the Man cover art

Holding the Man

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Holding the Man

By: Timothy Conigrave
Narrated by: Stephen Phillips
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About this listen

The mid-'70s: at an all-boys Catholic school in Melbourne, Timothy Conigrave falls wildly and sweetly in love with the captain of the football team. So begins a relationship that weathers disapproval, separation and ultimately death.

With honesty and insight, Holding the Man explores the highs and lows of any partnership and the strength of heart both men have to find when they test positive for HIV. This is a book as refreshing and uplifting as it is moving - a funny and sad and celebratory account of growing up gay.

©2009 Timothy Conigrave (P)2016 Audible, Ltd Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
Like others, I had seen the film first - which I also found very moving - and wanted to know more.

The story is obviously written from Tim's point of view, but manages to convey so much about all the characters involved and their emotions that you really feel you are living the events along with them. The narrator's choice of tone and pitch for the various people in the story, including indicating where Tim is thinking, certainly makes the book easy to understand in the audio version.

The relationship between Tim and John, and the people they encounter, takes you from joyful to cross to sad and back again, and finally to peace. This is not the sort of book to listen to while driving, or with other people around - even with a stash of tissues at the ready!

A real story of unconditional love with its highs and lows. Such a shame that these two beautiful people were taken from the world too early.

Have the tissues at the ready

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Holding the Man is a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story of life and love. It’s written in a way that makes you feel like you really know the main characters, showing Tim’s talent as a writer.
The narrator is excellent, too.

A story that will stay with you

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I’ve seen the movie 3 times and wanted more so I listened to the book and it didn’t disappoint. Such a heartbreaking real story of true love and sexual discovery.

The more people who read and listen to books like this, the more compassionate, understanding and thankful people we will have in the world.

Thank you Tim and John for sharing every bit of your truth and inspiring me. Your love will never die. ❤️❤️❤️

Beautiful, Raw and Heartbreaking

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Heartbreaking and devastating, I feel like I was a fly on the wall for their entire lives together. A must read ❤️

Must read

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I watched the film first (Which I never normally do) and wanted to know more. This book is one of the most amazing, poignant emotional rollercoaster of a book. What an amazing author who was taken far to soon. This book is a MUST read, just remember the tissues.

Powerful and Stunning

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Very good, emotional and involving book. A beautiful story of the long term relatioship between two boys.

Very emotional

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I am so grateful the author Tim shared the story of his life and love for John. Sharing their story makes me feel that I actually know you both. Although heartbreaking and haunting, I also admire how lucky you both were to have each other. This story was real, touching and beautiful in spite of the sadness. Thank you.

Wonderful love story

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Gentle at first then harder. The story of living with AIDS and the impact it has in a couple.

Hard hitting and tearful

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This book was beautifully read by Stephen Phillips, who spoke with such feeling throughout.

What a profoundly moving story. I was immersed from the start, and loved the glimpse of Australia from the 1970’s and beyond. Despite the tragic undercurrent of the book, there’s something wonderful about the relaxed and carefree lives Tim Conigrave and his friends were able to lead. The teenagers sound so independent and self-sufficient, and they know how to have fun!

This makes the harsh reactions to the lads coming out, even more stark. Suddenly they are thrown into a dark world of survival and rejection, forbidden love and personal feelings mixed in with shame, religious beliefs and condemnation.

It is written from the heart, so the reader is plunged into the fire and forced to feel the pain and injustice experienced by the author. But there is so much genuine love and affection too. It just blows you away.

This book will leave its mark on you. I love it for its raw honesty and its heartbreaking truth. There is nowhere to hide. Tim Conigrave has ripped the blackout blinds from the window - exposing a beautiful and intimate world constantly pummelled by prejudice.

I am still emotionsl after reading this book, and probably will be for a while. I want to tell loads of people about it. It’s one I will read again.


Profoundly moving

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A very powerful and beautifully written and performed account of profound love of two men at a very difficult time. I found it very moving and an inspiration. Thank you.

Beautiful Account of a life together.

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