Stuart: A Life Backwards
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Stuart: A Life Backwards
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Narrated by:
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Jot Davies
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Written by:
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Alexander Masters
About this listen
A unique biography of a homeless man and a complete portrait of the hidden underclass.
‘So here it is, my attempt at the story of Stuart Shorter, thief, hostage taker, psycho and sociopath street raconteur, my spy on how the British chaotic underclass spend their troubled days at the beginning of this century: a man with an important life. I wish I could have presented it to Stuart before he stepped in front of the 11.15 train from London to Kings Lynn.’
Stuart Shorter’s brief life was one of turmoil and chaos. In this remarkable book, a masterful act of biographical restoration, Alexander Masters retraces Stuart’s troubled journey. Stuart was homeless, with many of the problems this sub-section of English society display; alcoholism, drug-addiction, crime, violence. Scattered with glimpses of the author’s friendship with Stuart in the years before his death, Masters gives us Stuart’s life in reverse, tracing his route backwards through the post-office heists and attempts at suicide and the spells inside many of this country’s prisons, on back to a troubled time at school and learning difficulties and a violent childhood that acted like a springboard into the trouble that was to follow him all his life.
This extraordinary book is a glimpse at the underbelly of English society, a world largely hidden from our lives. Funny, despairing, uplifting, brilliantly-written, it is one of the most original biographies of recent years.
©2012 Alexander Masters (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedWhat the critics say
'It will surely prove to be the debut of the year.' Andrew O'Hagan, Telegraph
'I feel so strongly about this strange, funny, sad book that I hardly know where to begin … My enthusiasm feels almost limitless. A page-turner…the structure of Stuart is a masterstroke, allowing buried secrets to be uncovered like hunks of beef beneath silver domes.' Observer
'One of the most unusual biographies of recent years … one of 2005's outstanding debuts.' Metro
'A bitterly funny book.' Guardian
'Funny and original, a startling book … By the end I was doubled up in tears, but throughout I was often doubled up with laughter. It is dazzling.' Vogue
'A remarkable biography. Not since John Healey's classic memoir The Grass Arena has life on the street been catalogued with such candour and to such illuminating effect … unforgettably moving. A gripping read." Tim Lott, Sunday Times
'This is a very rare and moral and haunting book, the best of its kind since Alan Bennett's The Lady in the Van. On the way to telling the story of one homeless man, Alexander Masters manages to tell a compelling story about modern Britain, and a new and sometimes funny story about the trials of authorship. A great first book: I think it should replace the Gideon Bible in every hotel room in Britain.' Andrew O'Hagan'It will surely prove to be the debut of the year.' Andrew O'Hagan, Telegraph
'I feel so strongly about this strange, funny, sad book that I hardly know where to begin … My enthusiasm feels almost limitless. A page-turner…the structure of Stuart is a masterstroke, allowing buried secrets to be uncovered like hunks of beef beneath silver domes.' Observer
'One of the most unusual biographies of recent years … one of 2005's outstanding debuts.' Metro
'A bitterly funny book.' Guardian
What listeners say about Stuart: A Life Backwards
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E
- 2019-11-07
Great Story
This is a great story of an extraordinary ordinary man told backwards. Hilariously funny yet tear-jerking listen. I've listened to this audio book twice and found it even more enjoyable the second time. I enjoyed the accuracy of the accents.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angela A.
- 2021-03-09
Excellent
I selected this book after watching the film of the same name, and I am very happy that I did. The story of Stuart is touching, engaging, and real. Of course, it is also extremely sad, but is balanced enough that I wasn't crushed by the numerous harsh realities that Stuart has experienced.
Stuart is genuine and comes off very likeable. He shares his life with Alexander with total honesty, and the friendship that builds between them is one of the best things about this story.
The book doesn't shy away from anything. It gets up close and personal with Stuart's dysfunctional lifestyle, time in prison, his many addictions, violent outbreaks, and explores the plethora of mental and physical challenges he faces as well. He constantly undermines his own successes, and makes a lot of 'not too bright' decisions, but through it all is clear that Stuart is, on some level, well-meaning and largely innocent.
The narration is another big plus in this audiobook. After watching the film I had a certain idea of what the characters should sound like, and this narrator was perfect for both Alexander and Stuart's voices. Stuart can be a little frustrating to listen to, as he speaks slowly, with odd inflection, but that is his character, and the author nailed it.
I really enjoyed this book. I might even listen to it again. Highly recommend.
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