The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher
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The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher
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Narrated by:
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Jane Carr
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By:
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Hilary Mantel
About this listen
A brilliant collection of short stories from the double Man Booker Prize-winning author of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.
Hilary Mantel is one of Britain’s most accomplished and acclaimed writers. In these ten bracingly subversive tales, all her gifts of characterisation and observation are fully engaged, summoning forth the horrors so often concealed behind everyday façades. Childhood cruelty is played out behind the bushes in ‘Comma’; nurses clash in ‘Harley Street’ over something more than professional differences; and in the title story, staying in for the plumber turns into an ambiguous and potentially deadly waiting game.
Whether set in a claustrophobic Saudi Arabian flat or on a precarious mountain road in Greece, these stories share an insight into the darkest recesses of the spirit. Displaying all of Mantel’s unmistakable style and wit, they reveal a great writer at the peak of her powers.
©2014 Hilary Mantel (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
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What did you like most about The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher?
The originality of the workWhat other book might you compare The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher to, and why?
None really, it is a 'stand alone'Which character – as performed by Jane Carr – was your favourite?
I liked most of the 'cast'Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The endingsAny additional comments?
A classic and much as expected by HM in a class of her ownExcellent !
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A delightful mixture of short stories
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i was reading this for a class.
The problem comes with the reader 'running' on from oe story to another, with little differentiation in her voice.
I think it would have been better, read straight from the book.
Disappointed!
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The first story in the collection describes a woman in Saudi Arabia who offers assistance to a chance visitor, a stranger, who then becomes a persistent, and unwanted, admirer. Hilary Mantel herself describes the story as one of a person being trapped and constrained, whose agency is limited by circumstances and cultural difference.
The book title is derived from a story, in turn based on an experience of the author, in which her apartment overlooks the grounds of a nearby hospital at which Margaret Thatcher has received dental attention. In the story, the woman is expecting a plumber at the time Margaret Thatcher is scheduled to be leaving the hospital and in full view of the apartment window. The 'plumber' arrives and sets about assembling a rifle, engages in conversation with the apartment owner, and turns out to be an IRA assassin. After discussing Mrs Thatcher, fully aware of the intended assassination, the apartment owner brings the IRA operative a cup of tea...
The most beautifully written story concerns an author coming to talk about her work in a small town where she is booked overnight at a crumbling local hotel. There she converses and engages with a physically disabled girl, an employee at the establishment, who attends to her needs. Their exchange is brought to the foreground and the tired run-of-the-mill greying bookclub recedes in importance.
Wonderfully written with Mantel's characteristic blend of evocative language, psychological insights, and humour. Superb.
Brilliant writing; wonderful collection of stories
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Where does The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
2nd - after the Collectors by Philip PullmanWhat other book might you compare The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher to, and why?
Difficult to say - all short story collections have their special flavour.Which scene did you most enjoy?
It would spoil the fun...Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No - one story at the time. Like a good chocolate.Great short stories, great narration
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Some Good Stories Spoilt by the Reader
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Not a great audio title to be honest
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Not enjoyable
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Would you try another book written by Hilary Mantel or narrated by Jane Carr?
Following the fantastic Wolf Hall and Bringi up the bodiesthis was a pale shadow, I would think twice before buying another Mantel, narration was fine.Would you ever listen to anything by Hilary Mantel again?
A follow up to Bring up the bodies would be a certain choice, anything else would require closer analysis of reader reviews.How could the performance have been better?
The stories were too shallow and often too short. I did not get to the end of the series of short stories because it was not an enjoyable experience to listenWhat character would you cut from The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher?
N/a short storiesAny additional comments?
Not recommendedA let down
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Thatcher one star overall
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