The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year cover art

The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year

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The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year

By: Sue Townsend
Narrated by: Caroline Quentin
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About this listen

Winner of the Audiobook of the Year – Specsavers National Book Awards

What happens when a duvet day turns into a duvet year?

The day her twins leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. For 17 years she's wanted to yell at the world, 'Stop! I want to get off'. Finally, this is her chance. Her husband Brian, an astronomer having an unsatisfactory affair, is upset. Who will cook his dinner? Eva, he complains, is attention seeking. But word of Eva's defiance spreads. Legions of fans, believing she is protesting, gather in the street. While Alexander the white van man brings tea, toast and sympathy. And from this odd but comforting place Eva begins to see both herself and the world very, very differently....

©2012 Lily Broadway Productions Ltd (P)2012 W F Howes Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Witty Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"Hilarious and totally Townsend. There were parts where I laughed until I cried." (Daily Mail)

"Laugh-out-loud...a teeming world of characters whose foibles and misunderstandings provide glorious amusement. Something deeper and darker than comedy." (Sunday Times)

"Full of colour and glows with life." (Independent)

All stars
Most relevant  

If you could sum up The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant Original Dynamic

What did you like best about this story?

She stays in Bed

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I can't pick one scene too many funny ones the narrator did it absolute justice

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Had me laughing on the train a couple of times and my laugh is far from modest!

Any additional comments?

Just Buy It, Listen to it, and enjoy it.

Sue Townsend never fails

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interesting listen, strange story, well read, strong characterisation. Enjoyable even though I didn't particularly like the characters or story.

Disappointing ending to a novel concept

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Love Sue Townsend, the story was good but I was left disappointed by the ending.

Disappointing End

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I’ve had to stop listening. The story is amusing enough but due to the narrator consistently shouting I’ve just had to give up on this title as I can’t bear to listen any longer. Overly dramatic and unnecessary

Amusing story but no need to shout constantly

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Loved the characters but felt like each character could have been rounded up before the end. Was left really disappointed at the end.

disappointing ending

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Caroline Quentin is fantastic reading this story. She brings each character to life and captures the humour brilliantly.
A great story by Sue Townsend with heart felt honesty throughout.

Hilarious! had me laughing out loud.

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I've not read a book like this before so I didn't know what to expect. It had some unexpected twists and overall I did enjoy it. The narration was good but I got confused with the characters on a couple of occasions and when this happened I had to rewind and listen again. I would recommend this book because I did enjoy it. I laughed out loud at times and for me that's the sign of a good book.

Different.

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Fabulous narration by the wonderful Caroline Quentin. Brought the book alive.

Too abrupt an ending, though

Great story, poor ending

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not really very good, series of scenes but no point to the story. quite disappointing overall

comic in places

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I really liked this book. I was expecting more of an ending but I really liked the funny and relatable issues in it. Especially when listing all the things Eva was doing for Christmas. I know the book is good because I felt sad when it ended because I wanted to keep listening. The voice actors were great too they weren't monotone which added so much depth to the characters.

Funny and relatable

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