Wow. Incredible.

The performance, the writing, the emotion, the impact. So good. Tough content but so, so good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Top Shelf Performance but story is undercooked

This little gem comes seemingly out of nowhere and, wow, what an entrance! Absolutely captivating performance from Ms. Mulligan. Feels like I should know more of her work. I shall get busy and seek out her other material. The program moves along quick enough. You should be able to get through it in one listen unless the content brings on bouts of anxiety or stress. Some thoughts on that. After the main program, we get the added value of hearing the thoughts of the playwright who seems like a nice enough, even lovable, bloke - quite the opposite from the male character depicted in the script. Knowing that this heart rending tale of a woman done wrong by a monster of a husband was written by a man, not because he was so moved by a specific real world event or first hand knowledge of someone's tragedy but that he wanted to help out his ex-wife actress who was looking for an original one-woman show sheds a brighter light on the dark story we've just been told. Not sure how many other listeners caught that. Makes you wonder how much research went into this. Then I realized that of the two adult characters depicted, the husband (forget his character's name already) actually has the more interesting arc. He doesn't get a say in his development. We have to rely on - I may get into trouble for mentioning this - an unreliable narrator in the the unnamed woman's perspective. The husband has a very real, very tangible period of evolution even if the outcome of his life is tragic. The woman is basically the same throughout, unchanged - affected, yes, but essentially made of the same star stuff she was encased in when we first meet her. She shuns looking inward but is righteously eager to cast judgement over all men because of the criminal acts of the nearest and dearest one in her life. There is more from all sides to explore here but our questions will go forever unanswered. If you want a quick, steady-building, suspenseful drama, lean in to this one. You'll be glad to did. Just don't shake the tree too hard.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant

Amazing story, wickedly funny, clever and shocking, performed by the best voice actor I’ve ever heard.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Skimmed the description- kind of glad I did

The story hit me, well, hard. Definitely not what I was expecting and the story structure is well paced.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Broke my heart

Blunt language, interesting story, thought-provoking end. Heart aches after reading it. Somewhat eased by listening to the writer afterward.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

rated Adult by listener

I would rate as Adult book as it has adult message. Well written book with a strong message.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Bought this based on Narrator

Had no idea what I was getting into when I started this novel. Yes it is short but the impact will stay with me for some time. There is no need to give anything away but know that you are in good hands. Prepare to be disturbed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

wow

Not at all what I expected...so much better. Loved the reading, gripped by the story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

speechless

listen in one seating without distractions.


Added below because too short without

I have never directed how to listen and I feel totally compelled to do this.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Surprising excellent book

Originally a play this one woman performance is totally gripping. Carey Mulligan is great, telling the story of a woman trying to figure out her life and what's happening to her husband.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!