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The Slaves of Solitude

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The Slaves of Solitude

By: Patrick Hamilton
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
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Measuring out the wartime days in a small town on the Thames, Miss Roach is not unattractive but no longer quite young. The Rosamund Tea Rooms boarding house, where she lives with half a dozen others, is as grey and lonely as its residents. For Miss Roach, 'slave of her task-master, solitude', a shaft of not altogether welcome light is suddenly beamed upon her, with the appearance of a charismatic and emotional American Lieutenant. With him comes change - tipping the precariously balanced society of the house and presenting Miss Roach herself with a dilemma.

©1947 Patrick Hamilton (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction
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Critic reviews

"All his novels are terrific, but this one is my favourite." (Sarah Waters)

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Completely loved this, actually preferred it to Hangover Square which is regarded as a classic. The empathy with which the author describes the scattered thoughts of the bullied Miss Roach is unforgettable. Tragicomic. The narration by Lucy Scott is really superb and does justice to this richly drawn novel of terrible and comic characters.

Superb

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Everything about this book was just wonderful, including the narration!
Didn't want it to end.

Excellent

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A lower "intensity" of living, perhaps, but beautifully portrayed; I love Patrick Hamilton's prose and understanding of people.

Another era but......

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Lucy’s narration of this book is wonderful. A fascinating glimpse at wartime Britain. Lucy brings all the characters to annoying, joyful, frustrating life - I loved her ‘Vicky’!

Narration perfection

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Lucy Scott is a successful actress I believe & her talent shines brightly in the reading of this brilliant novel. Each of the many characters, including an American & a German, has their own voice both subtle & strong. Scott is clearly one of those audiobook readers that prompt you to follow their work. As for the book itself, its a masterpiece. Hamilton was recognised in his lifetime but I'm surprised he's not more famous today. How many writers could take a rivalry between two middle aged spinsters living in an English boarding house and turn it into a novel like this, one which is both an exquisite study of manners & a rivetting thriller?

Superb reading

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