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The Water Cure

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The Water Cure

By: Sophie Mackintosh
Narrated by: Hannah Murray, Gemma Whelan, Morfydd Clark
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About this listen

The second novel from Booker-longlisted Sophie Mackintosh

British Vogue 'Star of the Future' for 2020

Independent Best Books of the Decade

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh, read by Hannah Murray, Gemma Whelan and Morfydd Clark.

Once upon a time, damaged women came here to be cured. We took them in, fed them glasses of our clean, good water, let them scream at the waves till their lips split like ripe fruit. Now no one is left but my sisters and me. King died a year ago, quite suddenly. Mother has vanished, no one knows where. And the safe compound they built around us, far away from the toxic world, has finally been breached.

Three men arrived last week, washed up by the sea, their gazes hungry and insistent. We remember now what our father taught us. 'If the men come to you, show yourself some mercy. Don't stick around and wait for them to put you out of your misery.'

©2018 Sophie Mackintosh (P)2018 Penguin Audio Coming of Age Dystopian Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Emotionally Gripping

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Critic reviews

"Immensely assured, calmly devastating. This is a gem of a novel and I was bowled over by it." (Katherine Angel, author of Unmastered)

"I loved this book. It rushes you through to the end on a tide of tension and closely held panic. Eerie, electric, beautiful." (Daisy Johnson, author of Fen)

"Creepy and delightful - it has a pinch of Shirley Jackson, a dash of chlorine, and an essence all of its own." (Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You)
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Most relevant  
Uncomfortable and challenging, ‘the water cure’ gives new meaning to the word ‘love’. A book that demands careful thought and, when possible, discussion.

Disturbing

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I think this book is a marmite book you will either like it, maybe even love it or like me not like it at all. It is possible that it doesn’t work as an audible book. Definitely recommend you get a sample first, which I didn’t and regret.

Not for me

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The Water Cure is one of the best books of 2018. The story is unlike anything I've ever read before, and it's told in a literary voice that's somehow modern and old fashioned at the same time. Evocative and powerful, this book joins a small but growing collection of dystopian novels that create a uniquely female view of the future. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A uniquely female dystopia

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I can still hear the sea roaring in the background having finished the audio. Seldom have I felt swept away by the ethereal nature of a story (the last time was the Annihilation trilogy) and similarly I am still not sure what happened. was this story about the after effects of abuse, the fear of desire or about the power of patriarchy? Are the sisters three aspects of one girl or does the relationship between the girls transcend nature. I love this book and will buy it on kindle so I can ponder better and make notes. the author is a genius and one to follow throughout her career.

Extraordinary story

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I found this book deeply moving, and I'll look forward to reading more from Sophie Mackintosh.
A book adjacent I'd also recommend Yoko Ogawa The Memory Police.

Dystopian community

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Absolutely loved it. Absorbing, original story perfectly narrated with an unexpected ending. I thoroughly recommend it.

Fantastic

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It just never really got off the ground. I really liked the concept but the story never really went anywhere or gave any answers. Bit of a frustrating read really.

A bit dull

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Beautifully narrated. Great story which really makes you think about the fragility of both sexes. I was completely hooked.

intriguing

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I loved the idea of this book, the first half is brilliant, setting the scene for what I hoped would be a brilliant tale but I felt it lacked quite significantly in the second half and there was so more that could have been done.
Narration was slightly confusing too and I genuinely found it quite slow paced and boring.
Great idea, not a great story.

Intriguing

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A wonderfully written book, gripping and thrilling. The performances were perfect for the story.
I wanted more from the story, however, but I still enjoyed every moment.

Beautiful written and performed

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