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Staying On

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Staying On

By: Paul Scott
Narrated by: Paul Shelley
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About this listen

Tusker and Lily Smalley stayed on in India. Given the chance to return ‘home’ when Tusker, once a Colonel in the British Army, retired, they chose instead to remain in the small hill town of Pankot, with its eccentric inhabitants and archaic rituals left over from the days of the Empire. Only the tyranny of their imposing landlady threatens to upset the quiet rhythm of their days. Both funny and deeply moving, 'Staying On' is a unique, engrossing portrait of the end of an empire and of a forty-year love affair.

©1977 Paul Scott (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking

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I struggled with this book initially by have listened to it twice and I am now finding myself extremely moved.
Characters caught up in events in history shed a personal view post partition in India. Don't cancel these fictional folk but spare a moment to step into their shoes. Lucy is quite a heroine.

Very touching novel capturing a moment in history

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Several decades ago I read and loved the Raj Quartet and the BBC TV adaptation series, the Jewel in the Crown. But, somehow, I missed Staying On. What a great to read it now.
1972: Colonel and Mrs.Smalley had stayed on in India after Independence anticipating being unable to enjoy an equitable living standard if returning to England. But now, growing old with limited resources and without like friends, Lucy is increasingly frustrated and fearful in the apparent emptiness of her life and marriage. It's both poignant, amusing and sad in turn, and the images both of India and the characters, from the Smalley's themselves, the owner, Mrs.Bhoolabhay of the Smith's Hotel and her husband, Billie Boy, and the servants who essentially look after them are superb and very true to the time.
For readers who enjoy getting inside emotions and long term relationships, other customs, countries and times, all performed beautifully by Paul Shelley. Be prepared to be emotionally involved
Recommended.

Time now, I think, to reprise the Raj Quartet.

"Still waiting for transport that never turned up.

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A book that I found hard to put down. A book that brought the emotions and memories together of a life lived in India from the 1930 until 1972. Sad but also happy memories intertwined in a beautiful story.

Very good read

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I read Staying On years ago, I think it may have won the booker prize. I had read the Raj quartet and really enjoyed it and at that the time was a little disappointed with this post script. After the range and drama of the Quartet its quiet humanity Seemed a bit of a letdown.However I’m really pleased I bought the audiobook, a really good moving story with great characters, well read, a really worthwhile listen. Thoroughly recommended.

I’d forgotten what a wonderful book!

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For anyone with a connection to India, particularly the period around independence, this is an essential book. Equally for anyone who loved the Raj Quartet books or the Jewel in the Crown tv series

A good story from an tine now gone

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This is a lovely book about the end of the British in India, and the narration on this Audible version is absolutely excellent. Each character is so well portrayed, they really live as individuals.

Excellent reading

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This is in turns funny, moving, and sad. But always brilliantly insightful and brimming with humanity. I absolutely loved it and wished it would never end. And the narration is so impeccable that it takes the novel onto an even higher plane. What a criminal shame that only the first of Paul Scott's Raj Quartet is available as an unabridged (narrated by the equally brilliant Sam Dastor.)

A wonderful novel, wonderfully read

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Beautifully written and beautifully read.
A slow-burn largely domestic narrative, in a liminal historical context, that leads to a heart-breaking final scene.
Quality work by a gifted writer.

Quality Literature

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The juxtaposition of the various characters amidst the post Raj era was interesting although it took me a while to become involved with the story.

Interesting story set in post Raj India

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brilliant narration, much enjoyed this brilliant book. Well worth listening too. 15th January 20 19

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