Soldier Sailor cover art

Soldier Sailor

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Soldier Sailor

By: Claire Kilroy
Narrated by: Simone Collins
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About this listen

AS HEARD ON FRONT ROW - a resonant and provocative novel.
'Astonishing' Stephanie Merritt, Observer
'Very, very funny' PAUL MURRAY
'My favourite book I've read this year' PANDORA SYKES
'Intense, furious, moving and often extremely funny' DAVID NICHOLS

In her wildly acclaimed new novel Claire Kilroy creates an unforgettable heroine, whose fierce love for her young son clashes with the seismic change to her own identity.
As her marriage strains and she struggles with questions of love, autonomy, creativity and the passing of time, an old friend makes a welcome return - but can he really offer a lifeline to the woman she used to be?

©2023 Claire Kilroy (P)2023 Faber & Faber Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Witty Thought-Provoking Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Great writing, minute detail of the mind numbing work of parenting a young child. Frustratingly slow in the descriptiveness of this work, which I can relate to. Cleverly weaves in feminist concepts but ultimately reiterates the well worn narrative of a woman living out the blatant unfairness of being fully burdened with household work. Why this woman never actually says exactly what she needs, exactly how she wants it to be to her partner is unimaginable. It seems the writer wants to show that women can’t articulate their needs logically, instead relying almost exclusively on bitter jabs at their partner. What a sad reiteration of a cliche. When are we going to hear stories of parents (men and women) parenting together, so we can learn how to do it? Instead, we have modern (modern!) stories of these woes, beautifully written but, ultimately, uninspiring.
This book is a great contraceptive.
I wonder how many young people will find it hard to believe this parenting reality (in the West) still exists, realising too late how true it can be, but with no alternative narrative to turn to for help. Are books like this normalising that which we need to get away from?

Another account of a mother struggling alone

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Everything about this book was brilliant. From the intense opening sequence where reality becomes completely distorted, to the 2 dimensional husband who is infuriating at first but then you realise that he is more a caricature of bad husbands than a character, to the final reflections on watching your child grow old. Monumental

Staggering read

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Not sure what to make of this, the sample gives a tiny snippet, but the raw emotion of the whole book is so palpable.

Any woman who has had or has young kids will fully understand everything written here.

The narration is perfect.

Emotionally raw

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A thought provoking and emotional read with parts I could really identify with. I very much enjoyed this book and would wholly recommend it.

A moving read

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I loved this story. Listening to it at a similar life stage, it spoke to my soul at times. It had me crying, laughing and cursing! As a new mother who is lost, this tale made me feel less alone. Beautifully performed, I was there right with Soldier and Sailor throughout. Highly recommended for all mothers, even more highly recommended for all fathers!

Raw, honest and beautiful

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I couldn't stop listening! So beautifully written. A raw account of motherhood and her love for her son. A lot of what she said was a perfect description of some of my own feelings/experiences as a mother but have never managed to articulate with such accuracy. As soon as I was finished reading, I wanted to go back to the start and read it all over again! Absolutely loved this book.

Beautifully written

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This is such a beautiful book. Every bit of it relevant and poignant. The mundane detail is lyricised so beautifully and skillfully throughout and brings the emotions and events of early motherhood so vividly to life. The last chapter brought tears to my eyes. This is not just another book about motherhood, for me this is the book about it. Beautiful beautiful book.

What an amazing read.

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This is a beautiful story that explores the writers relationship with her son "sailor" and her husband. There were so many moments when I thought "yes, that's exactly it!"

An almost too real story of motherhood

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It’s so good! Maybe best not read it if you’re pregnant. It took me right back to those early days of motherhood and the madness it entails but in a great way.

Brilliant!

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Wonderful introspection into motherhood and being female in today’s world.

Due strongly to Simone Collins’ subtle and emotional performance, it’s entirely accessible and gives a real truth to the character, really bringing her and all of the characters off the page in a way that makes you realise you know this person.

Very much recommend to women, but also men. It’s almost a glimpse into the soul of what it is to be a woman.

Loved every minute of it.

Thank you Claire. Thank you Simone.

Beautiful book, beautiful performance

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