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Light Over Liskeard

By: Louis de Bernières
Narrated by: Rufus Wright
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Sometimes we must look to the past to survive the future. A novel about what really matters in life from the bestselling author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Q wants a simpler and safer life. His work as a quantum cryptographer for the government has led him to believe a crisis is imminent for civilisation and he's looking for somewhere to ride out what's ahead.

He buys a ruined farmhouse in Cornwall and begins to build his own self-sufficient haven. Over the course of this quest he meets the eccentric characters who already live on the moors nearby - including the park ranger in charge of the reintroduced lynxes and aurochs that roam the area; a holy man waiting for the second coming on top of a nearby hill; an Arthurian knight on horseback and the amorous ghost of an Edwardian woman who haunts the farmhouse.

As life in the cities gets more complicated, and our systems of electronic control begin to fall apart, Q flourishes in the wild Cornish countryside. His new way of life brings him back in tune with his teenage children, his ex-wife, and his own sense of who he is. He also grows close to Eva, energetic and enchanting, who is committed to her own quest for love and meaning.

In this entertaining and heart-warming novel Louis de Bernières pokes fun at modern mores, and makes us reconsider what is really precious in our short and precarious lives.

©2023 Louis de Bernières (P)2023 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Light Over Liskeard

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Near-Future dystopia, contemporary contemplation and kernowian mysticism, made me laugh out loud and think deep.

This is a fantastic reading of a brilliant book. The narrator does a wonderful job. I will listen more than once! Left me with dreams in my head.. I hope Berniere is working on a sequel?.. I loved the characters! And links to other books. Berniere shows once again that he is a master craftsman.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Intriguing

As someone who grew up and lives Liskeard, I found it was an interesting listen. I thought the narrator did an excellent job....

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

I loved the narrator and fascinating story line.. Until the ending! A very un concluded.. Who? why? ending.. As though the author had left off another chapter.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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fresh, bold apocalyptic satire

I can't stop thinking about it. it will take me weeks to understand it but I loved it.
it's like someone gave De Bernieres a long list of random objects and concepts and challenged him to make a story. He rose to the challenge.
the narration was excellent. accents perfectly executed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling characters in a credible dystopian future

This was the kind of audiobook you didn’t want to stop listening to. I got through it in three days. It is De Bernieres at his best. I didn’t want it to end.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Marvelous Opportunity, Missed

I started off loving this book. The contrasts between near-future tech-led life and the hints at metaphysical layered dimensions was intriguing and I wanted to know more.
But, although Q's re-invention of himself had some interesting points, it all seemed rather too easy: everyone in his new life got along well, his young lover fell for him easily and without more explanation as to the more mysterious reasons why.
At the finish, I felt unsatisfied. I had enjoyed the meandering pace, although a little tension would have helped, but then the ending felt rushed and unfinished. There was so much more that could have been explored in the themes that were present.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable, whimsical, escapism.

Credible, doomsday near future setting. Following the life of a disenfranchised protagonist who is central to the governments attempts to quash cyber attacks and threats the apparatus of daily life. Q as he is known, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-suffiency. There is a mix of eccentric characters that add a sense of farce and good humour to what could be quite dark subject matter. I feel Q is too cold, self-serving and detached from most people to make me feel much empathy to what happens to him however I do like the supporting characters Eva and her father who adds wisdom, charm and dogged spirit.

The ending in some ways emphatic and in others quite enigmatic. Was he decieved by someone close to him?

Does make you ponder on your own place in the world and how we interact with it

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Hard to put down

Thoroughly enjoyable modern apocalypse story. Beautifully written. Wasn't ready for the ending. Character development excellent

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entranced

Great book, really interesting and curiously upbeat. not really sure what the whole ghost subplot was about. I thought it would be resolved somehow. Perhaps there will be a sequel?

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