Really made me think

This book made me really reflect on poverty and the cycles that people find themselves in. Whilst it tackled some really heavy themes it never felt hopeless.
I would recommend this book and think that the audio version is one of the best performances I’ve heard on Audible in a long long time!
Incredible!

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Highly recommended

I thought this book was great - I really enjoyed it. You root for Sean to find his way.

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Great story captured by an excellent narrator

I really enjoyed this debut by Michael Magee and thought the narration really brought it to life. 10/10 would recommend

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Authentic and skilful writing

I’m only half way through but can’t wait to say how pleased I am with what I’m hearing. I grew up in west Belfast myself, albeit a long time ago (I’m nearly 70) and I’m enjoying so much the authentic speech and vivid sense of place, both geographically and in the distinctive culture.
You can’t escape the mountain - it’s at the bottom of every street. When the ma occasionally sells a painting it’s “Madonna, Gerry Adams, somebody’s Alsatian ..” Superbly observed. I’ll come back when it’s finished to share more.
A perfect reading from Conor MacNeill - what a relief they got somebody able to get the accents right while also reading with near flawless intelligence.

PS Just finished it and sorry it's over. Some people had said it's one of those books where nothing happens. i can understand their point but what does happen is much closer to life than in typical plots. It's not banal though.There are some very tense situations and in fact a lot of tensions underpin all of the everyday stuff. But it's more about gradually revealing more and more of the emotional core of the main characters and the histories which have moulded them. A couple of scenes really caught me off guard and brought tears to my eyes.

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Outstanding

A bruise to the heart. The story and the narration will stay with me for a long time.

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Beautiful and authentic

Didn’t want this to end! A very real immersive depiction of working class life in Belfast

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Excellent writing describing perfectly a place and time I know well.

I loved this book! I no longer live in the north but it brought back a wonderful time in my life, the reality of the situation,the darkness we dealt with and the humour we used to deal with it. Thank you for this.

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A slow burn but packs a punch

A very impressive debut novel that recounts the ups and downs of a university student returning to his life in West Belfast. The protagonist is caught between past, present and future, between family, community and glimpses of a new life less constrained by the various burdens he carries around.. It starts somewhat slowly and seems for a while to be little more than some fragmented vignettes, but as the story and characters unfold, it proves itself to be a powerful and honest account of the personal and political in the world were one mistake can drag you back into the quagmire of the past.

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Incredible Debut

Understated writing in the best possible way. An accomplished novel that draws you in from the first paragraph. Wonderful narration.

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Brilliant

I loved this book.
Couldn’t stop listening until I’d finished it.
Believable characters in a story set in places I know so well having lived in the university area of Belfast.
I found it very moving.
I’m now at a loss as to what to read next.

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