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Troubles

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Troubles

By: J. G. Farrell
Narrated by: Kevin Hely
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About this listen

Winner of the 1970 Lost Man Booker prize in 2010.

Major Brendan Archer travels to Ireland - to the Majestic Hotel and to the fiancée he acquired on a rash afternoon's leave three years ago. Despite her many letters, the lady herself proves elusive, and the Major's engagement is short-lived. But he is unable to detach himself from the alluring discomforts of the crumbling hotel.

Ensconced in the dim and shabby splendour of the Palm Court, surrounded by gently decaying old ladies and proliferating cats, the Major passes the summer. So hypnotic are the faded charms of the Majestic, the Major is almost unaware of the gathering storm. But this is Ireland in 1919 - and the struggle for independence is about to explode with brutal force.

©1993 J. G. Farrell (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction

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All stars
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This story is a beautifully written historical snapshot of the end of British rule in Ireland. It's rather slow and meandering with a number of minor characters, but it has a pleasant feel to it. the Irish narrator is good. Obviously his Irish accents are excellent, his upper class English ones not quite so good. But he does a good job overall

a meandering tale

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Brilliantly written story about the last years of the British Ireland. The narrator was the best I’ve heard so far.

Deserved Booker Winner

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For a serious subject the story was very funny in many respects. The narrative was very good and added to the story.

Great Story and Excellent Narration

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Farrell is an astonishing writer and his trilogy of empire in India Ireland and Singapore... The Siege of Krishnapur, Troubles and The Singapore Grip... is breathtaking. I think that Troubles and Singapore Grip are superior to Krishnapur. The most devastatingly brilliant read is Singapore Grip. They will grab you entertain you make you laugh out loud and leave you shaken. Read all three and tell others.

Extraordinary

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I loved this book and have now listened twice. It's not quick, but I think it's worth sticking with as it has one of the best ending sections to any book I've read. I found it very funny and laughed throughout. It's an ironic sense of humour though so I appreciate it isn't for everyone. If you like to immerse yourself and not worry about the speed the plot moves on, you're more likely to love it. I love it. I think about it a lot and rate it as one of my favourite books. I'm a little bit smitten with the major.

a drily humorous and moving book

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I got the allegory, but the story did not hold my interest so much.
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OK

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The book babbles on with no clear start and no clear end, enjoyable, but at the same time leaving no big impression. If you will ask me two years from now what the book was all about, I am pretty sure I cannot tell you.

Like a river

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I loved this story and narration. Just wonderful - every page made me smile but not the context within which it was set.

Wonderful

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Farrell was an exceptional author; all his books are of incredible quality. The narrator of this one captured the tone and mood perfectly.

Brilliant narration.

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It is a good story anyway, but the narrator really draws you in and makes it come alive

Great story wonderfully read

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