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Life, Death and Vanilla Slices

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Life, Death and Vanilla Slices

By: Jenny Eclair
Narrated by: Jenny Eclair
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About this listen

Jean Collins had two daughters. But she only loved one of them. She knew it was wrong, but she just couldn't help herself. Jess was a little sweetheart, everyone said so. Anne was awkward and serious and not much fun, to be frank.

But now the years have passed. Jess is missing - run off long ago, no one knows where or why. So when Jean is left in a coma after a road accident, it's Anne who travels back up north to sit at her mother's bedside. And she wonders - why did Jean dash out into the road without looking? What distracted her? And why was she carrying a box of vanilla slices, the cream cakes she only ever bought for extra special occasions? Meanwhile there are secrets waiting for Anne and Jean, back at the old family home. Secrets that were buried a long time ago...

©2013 Jenny Eclair (P)2013 Hachette Digital Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Witty Emotionally Gripping

Critic reviews

"Of course it's funny, but it's also dark, honest and totally compulsive reading" (Jenny Colgan)
"Very dark and very funny. I had it glued to my face until I'd finished it" (Jo Brand)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is one of the best stories I have listened too. Really well written and a joy to listen to.

Which character – as performed by Jenny Eclair – was your favourite?

At first I didn't like either of the two main characters much but as the story unfolded I grew to like them and then to admire them. By the end of the story I felt a strong emotional connection to them.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh and a couple of times it rendered me motionless, I had to stop what I was doing and just listen. They were moments in the book that made me cry.

Any additional comments?

The book had absorbed me and transported me to another world. I really didn't want it to end.

Great story made me laugh and cry

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jenny uses a razor to cut to the heart of the family featured in it and what's revealed is both uncomfortable and poignant in equal measure. Any daughter or mother will find a lot they recognise here I think. The characters are much more than two dimensional ; both good and bad and everything in between. I am glad I listened to it.

Poignant and truthful.

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Well written, humourous and engaging. Jenny narrating the novel adds to its brilliance. I would definitely recommend. Enjoy !!!!

Brilliant

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This is a superbly told story that will keep you gripped.
I laughed and I cried as I went on a life long journey with each character.

Absolutely brilliant.

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An excellent book made all the better by the wonderful Jenny Eclair reading her own masterpiece. I've been a fan for over 2 decades but this is the first of her books tbat I've downloaded. Looking forward to another.

Poignant and riveting

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