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Nutshell

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Nutshell

By: Ian McEwan
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
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About this listen

Nutshell is a classic story of murder and deceit, told by a narrator with a perspective and voice unlike any in recent literature. A bravura performance, it is the finest recent work from a true master.

To be bound in a nutshell, see the world in two inches of ivory, in a grain of sand. Why not, when all of literature, all of art, of human endeavour, is just a speck in the universe of possible things?

©2016 Ian McEwan (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Fiction Witty Thought-Provoking Funny

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I wasn't sure at first how good this book was going to be, but as it progressed I enjoyed it more and more. There are some parts where the baby rambles on a little and I'm wishing it would get back to the story.
It's really a simple story but the fact that it's being told by an unborn baby - quite ridiculous - but a great perspective.

A good read (listen)

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Ian McEwan's Nutshell is well written, intelligent, humourous and narrated wonderfully by Rory Kinnear.

Highly recommended.

Loved it

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Good, original and compelling story, beautiful written. But then, I am a fan of the author

Well written in McEwan

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I would definitely recommend. Entertaining, beautifully written.
Love the perspective from which the story is written. A must listen.

Absolutely loved it

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Reminds me somewhat of Stewie, the one year old protigy in "Family Guy". However, in this case, the protigy is pre-birth. Extremely interesting concept, with the main character being restricted to the view of the world from the womb.

The character and writing are just superb on his view of the world. The story itself is good and only let down by a weaker ending that I would have wanted. Well, you can't have everything.

"family guy" Stewie, before birth, in a book!

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Ian McEwan's novels strike a delightful balance between "highbrow", almost academic literature (replete with intertextual references and a passion for poetry) and pop mystery plot lines which make them utterly compelling. Who ever would have thought that an unborn baby could have so much personality?

Ian McEwan sure does spin a good yarn

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A very acute story. The narration wrung out every word. There are some vile but compelling moments. However, from such a master story teller & wordsmith I would have liked a fuller ending. Only slightly disappointed. Don't let that stop you from listening.

No ending!

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Well I've never read/listened to a book quite like this before, but have to say this is my first Ian McEwan. Extraordinary! I loved the dark humour and a more suitable narrator than Rory Kinnear would be hard to find, with his sardonic tone. The author's style was so rich in prose, the words just flowed around me. I was spellbound by the story, really gripping. After saying all that, I did find the story being narrated by an unborn baby somewhat uncomfortable!

Goodness!

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I loved it. never read a book like this before. it was captivating. did I say I loved it

fascinating

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If you could sum up Nutshell in three words, what would they be?

Odd, unexpected, interesting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nutshell?

The way assumptions had to shift throughout - I never knew whose voice to trust.

What does Rory Kinnear bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

This is interesting as I like Rory Kinnear but my initial reaction to the foetus protagonist was one of absolute distaste - such an annoying unlikable voice! Very fortunately I stayed with it and it just grew funnier and more enjoyable. The grandiose tone of the conceited little baby who can quote Shakespeare and somehow provide wonderfully vivid descriptions of events taking place outside the womb.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Life before birth.

Any additional comments?

You have to suspend disbelief - a foetus picking up language and knowledge via podcasts, really? Better to have not attempted to explain that and accepted the magical realism. That said, you do of course go along with the narrative voice and it's an entertaining tale of complicated relationships and a rather enjoyable and gripping whodunit (Columbo style - you know who you just don't know how it's found out) that keeps you hooked until the end.

A quirky but literary whodunit.

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