Shy Creatures
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Shy Creatures
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Narrated by:
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Lucy Scott
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By:
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Clare Chambers
About this listen
From the Women's Prize longlisted, British Book Award-winning, bestselling author of Small Pleasures, a new novel about love, family and the joy of freedom.
'I was worried this wouldn't be as good as the brilliant Small Pleasures, but it might be even better. Clare Chambers is a genius' INDIA KNIGHT
'Wise, beautifully measured and as compelling as you want fiction to be' SUNDAY TIMES
'A tender, absorbing novel . . . And it's just as good - if not better - than her last' INDEPENDENT
'Shy Creatures confirms Clare Chambers as one of our most talented writers' GUARDIAN
In all failed relationships there is a point that passes unnoticed at the time, which can later be identified as the beginning of the decline. For Helen it was the weekend that the Hidden Man came to Westbury Park.
Croydon, 1964. Helen Hansford is in her thirties and an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital where she has been having a long love affair with Gil: a charismatic, married doctor.
One spring afternoon they receive a call about a disturbance from a derelict house not far from Helen's home. A thirty-seven-year-old man called William Tapping, with a beard down to his waist, has been discovered along with his elderly aunt. It is clear he has been shut up in the house for decades, but when it emerges that William is a talented artist, Helen is determined to discover his story.
Shy Creatures is a life-affirming novel about all the different ways we can be confined, how ordinary lives are built of delicate layers of experience, the joy of freedom and the transformative power of kindness.
'A magnificent novel. I loved it to its bones' EMMA STONEX
'A lively, funny, forgiving novel' PATRICK GALE
'Completely absorbing' LISSA EVANS
'A rich and tender story of kindness and compassion' RUTH HOGAN
*Small Pleasures was a Silver Award bestseller according to Nielsen BookScan UK, 10 November 2023
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What listeners say about Shy Creatures
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Cathyreadsalot
- 26-12-24
Fab story
I loved this story - I loved the references to Croydon and south London . I admired Helen she was articulate and heroic in a subtle yet powerful way . She stopped being the “ mistress “ and became the stronger independent woman I knew she would be ! And William became real and as for the amazing Marion who changed lives what a remarkable character . Another Great book by this hugely talented author .
Ps the reference to Martin Fords clothes shop was brilliant and took me right back to my teens !!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-02-25
shy creatures
Stunning in content and ability to craft an insightful view into the skins and arrows of life. life and
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DEBBIE PARRY
- 02-01-25
twists and turns
enjoyed the story and tine it was set. history in easy read format. interesting story too
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katharine
- 13-01-25
Highly recommended
This is a well-written, heart-warming which I very much enjoyed listening to. It was convincingly read, so easy to get lost in the story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MRS
- 10-12-24
Informative and engaging. Fresh & Original.
A beautifully written book. Each character is so well rounded. The description of the each scene is so visual you feel as if you’re actually there.
Narration was perfect.
Well worth the credit.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JGSmith
- 29-11-24
A lovely story
I disliked the self absorbed characters for the first few chapters but am so glad I stuck with it. This book is about so much more than the scant details offered in the overview; a touching tale of personal growth for all main characters. Although a non linear structure is something of a cliché and pet hate of mine, as it is often used to add interest to a rather basic plot, Chambers uses it with deft skill to enhance the unfurling story. By the denouement, I had come to love the characters I had loathed which is testament to the writer’s apt manipulation of the reader. Beautiful narration made this a thoroughly lovely listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer Miller
- 06-09-24
Beautifully written. Love the way the story unfolds.
I liked everything about it. Great characters, Lovely juxtaposition of back stories, lively dialogues, well read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- East Yorks
- 06-02-25
Fabulous
Absolutely loved this novel - Chambers has the most amazing knack of describing the minutiae of everyday life so cleverly and Lucy Scott has the perfect voice for this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pamela
- 11-09-24
The definition of a glimmer
What a beautifully written, wonderful story. It has really made me feel good – and the narrator is very clever with her voices. Highly recommended - this made my day and my week!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Lorna
- 03-10-24
Heartwarming
A couple of historical inaccuracies which I found distracting but, overall I really enjoyed this. It was more than a small pleasure !
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