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The Discomfort of Evening

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The Discomfort of Evening

By: Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
Narrated by: Genevieve Gaunt
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Winner of the International Booker Prize 2020

I asked God if he please couldn't take my brother, Matthies, instead of my rabbit. 'Amen.'

Ten-year-old Jas has a unique way of experiencing her universe: the feeling of udder ointment on her skin as protection against harsh winters; the texture of green warts, like capers, on migrating toads; the sound of 'blush words' that aren't in the Bible. But when a tragic accident ruptures the family, her curiosity warps into a vortex of increasingly disturbing fantasies - unlocking a darkness that threatens to derail them all.

A best-selling sensation in the Netherlands, Marieke Lucas Rijneveld's radical debut novel is studded with images of wild, violent beauty: a world of language unlike any other, exquisitely captured in Michele Hutchison's translation.

©2018, 2020 Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, translated by Michele Hutchison (P)2020 Audible, Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Emotionally Gripping Scary Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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This book is so well written and read so sympathetically (Genevieve Gaunt's narration was off the scale!) but it is NOT for the faint hearted.
It covers the implosion of a dysfunctional family following a tragic event, as told by a young girl called 'Jas' and her attempts to make sense and deal with all the awful things that happen to and around her.
It has taken me weeks to get through this book, as I had to keep taking a break from it, but didn't want to abandon it.
It was a terrible story, but totally believable and heart breaking.
It will stay with me for a long while, but I definitely feel the need of something very light to follow this dark tale.

Not Recommend If You Are Feeling Fragile

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the story of a young girl growing up in a Dutch dairy farm. how she and her family cope with grief, loss, puberty and sexual awakening. the girl with great imagination struggles to make sense of it all. black and powerful

traumatic

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absolutely beautiful,heartbrealing and gut wrenching.the writing is exquisite. The ending actually took my breath away.

beautiful and heartbreaking

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I found this challenging at times, but I am going to remember these characters for a very long time.

Not an easy listen...

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It is a good book, beautifully narrated, but I am still glad it is over. I did manage to finish it, and I will never forget it, but there were days that I just couldn’t face it. Very sad, quirky, no real moments of joy. Beauty in the language, not in the story or scenery. I just feel absolutely drained. Maybe I am unfair not giving it five stars. It was never going to be a joyride, and it shouldn’t be.
Maybe the author has succeeded when I nearly feel as down as the protagonist. I guess it is for every curious reader to find out. Will I read/listen to their next book? Probably.

Good but draining

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