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Happiness

By: Aminatta Forna
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Waterloo Bridge, London. Two strangers collide. 

Attila, a Ghanaian psychiatrist, and Jean, an American studying the habits of urban foxes. From this chance encounter in the midst of the rush of a great city, numerous moments of connections span out and interweave, bringing disparate lives together. 

Attila has arrived in London with two tasks: to deliver a keynote speech on trauma and to check up on the daughter of friends, his 'niece', Ama, who hasn't called home in a while. It soon emerges that she has been swept up in an immigration crackdown - and now her young son Tano is missing.

When, by chance, Attila bumps into Jean again, she joins him in his search for Tano, mobilising into action the network she has built up, mainly from the many West African immigrants working London's myriad streets, of volunteer fox-spotters: security guards, hotel doormen, traffic wardens. All unite to help and as the search continues, a deepening friendship between Attila and Jean unfolds.

©2018 Aminatta Forna (P)2018 Recorded Books, Inc Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction England Africa
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Critic reviews

"Her prose quietly grips us by the throat and then tightens its hold. It is storytelling at its most taut...A gifted writer." (Independent)

"A fresh, immaculate stylist and an unsparing chronicler of human vices...Profound." (The Times)
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The book covers stories distant across time and space and themes from love, wildlife human conflict, the impact of war and parenthood. The characters are likeable and convincing and the story line keeps you involved. My only Cristian is that the narrator tried and failed to carry off Irish and London accents - a slight distraction that should not put you off the book

Wide ranging themes but dodgy accents

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A lovely gentle listen. I thoroughly enjoyed the slowly emerging depth of this book. Great narration.

Deep, gentle, lovely

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The narration made the story even better, and it was good on its own already. This is a new favorite amd I can't wait to get to other Forna's books!

A new favorite

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A slow burn of a book which holds the attention. You get glimpses of back story to explain the current situation.
Fully formed characters - I could picture them in my head. It gave an interesting take on the ‘underworld’ of London after dark - the street sweeping, traffic wardens ,hotel workers etc and the lovely strength of community within. I feel drawn to the Old Kent Rd. As an animal lover did feel a little concerned about the graphic descriptions of the animals that were killed at different stages- not what I’d expected from reading the back cover!
It was beautifully read but the narrator did struggle with the word pasty (as in Cornish pasty!!!) which made me smile!!

Interesting and unexpected

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An refreshingly original novel. Humans as well as animals are protagonists, and they are beautifully drawn. The different love stories are gripping and heartwarming. Forna is an amazing storyteller but also an educator.

Sublime

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