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The Shock of the Light

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The Shock of the Light

By: Lori Inglis Hall
Narrated by: Susie Riddell
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About this listen

 'A powerful story, beautifully told' ML STEDMAN 'Truly compelling' WILLIAM BOYD 'Exquisitely written and deeply human' CHRIS CLEAVE 'Far-reaching, but also intimate and intensely personal' FLORENCE KNAPP 'It was an honour to narrate this brilliant book, and the first time I've ever had to leave the booth to have a cry mid-session' SUSIE RIDDELL, actor

A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people

Cambridge, 1942

Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.

Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.

Two years later, only one of them comes home.

A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people, THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHT is as exhilarating as it is heartbreaking.

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'This novel floored me. It is a rare thing and close to perfect… I urge you to pick up this book and read it!' ELIZABETH MACNEAL

'An astonishing page-turner that left me breathless… An essential addition to the wartime literature canon' HOLLY DAWSON

'A beautiful, clever debut, heart-wrenching and totally immersive… the very best example of historical fiction' CESCA MAJOR

'Spine-chilling and beautifully rendered… drew me in from the start' GEORGIA HUNTER

©2026 Lori Inglis Hall (P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers Coming of Age Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction War & Military
All stars
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Looking forward to the next book. Thank you for all your hard work and efforts.

Enjoyable story well written

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This is a well researched and well written book almost spoilt by poor narration . Much of the story takes place in France among French people but the narrator has a terrible French accent and even worse cannot pronounce French words properly. She also manages to make all the male characters sound like bluff aged old school English men , even when they’re young . Surely the producers could have found a bi-lingual narrator for the job ?

Good story

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