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A Knock at the Door

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A Knock at the Door

By: Rob Parsons
Narrated by: Rob Parsons
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About this listen

‘An incredible read. I laughed, I cried and my heart was truly touched by this beautifully written true story of hope and humanity at its best.’ Rosemary Conley CBE

'An extraordinary story. Truly Inspirational' Tim Vine

An astonishing story of kindness, self-learning, pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life.

Christmas 1975 and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is riding high in the charts. In a residential street just outside Cardiff, a persistent knocking breaks the stillness of the evening …

When Rob Parsons, a young lawyer, opens his door he finds a man standing before him clutching a bag of belongings and a frozen chicken. Rob and his wife, Dianne, invite him into their home, cook his chicken and offer him shelter for the night. What happens next is an astonishing story of human kindness, self-learning, incredible pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life.

A Knock at the Door is the true story of Ronnie Lockwood, a homeless man who entered the home of a young couple, became a dustman and lived as part of their family for over 45 years until his death. But this is not just Ronnie’s story – it is also that of Rob and his family. Outwardly the two men’s lives were worlds apart – as Ronnie emptied rubbish bins, Rob flew on Concorde – and yet, they discovered they had similar struggles. Then the day came, at the lowest moment of the couple’s lives, when they turned to the homeless man for help.

But there were also remarkable turnarounds. Ronnie spent much of his spare time volunteering, including at a homeless centre, and ended up having a £1.6 million well-being centre named after him. Rob left his law practice and he and Dianne began a charity that touches the lives of millions of people.

You will have never come across a story like this before, but at its heart is a simple message: whether we are a lawyer or a dustman – tomorrow doesn’t always have to be like yesterday.

©2024 Rob Parsons (P)2024 Harper Collins Publishers
Homelessness Law Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Poverty & Homelessness Professionals & Academics Relationships Social Sciences Heartfelt Feel-Good Inspiring Witty Funny Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
...I have over 1100 audio books, many I will never forget...BUT Rob's...and his family...story reaches a deep place inside as many of us hold back helping others because of the new breed of scammers and Predators and this begins many years ago. There are safe ways to reach out.
Rob and Di were at a place in time that is something everyone should listen to
...

A story unlike any other....a gift

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Heart warming and heart breaking in equal measure. Great story of how a family welcomed a stranger into their family.

Had me laughing and crying

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Loved this book and Rob’s family, all 5, especially the connections they forged with affection and experience, routines and jokes. It is beautifully narrated. It is so much more than a story, it is a parable of life, an exhortation to care, to create a new culture of meaningful roles for all, because society will become to kinder, wiser and blessed in the process.

A treasure trove

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A very special book, and a very special family. It has the potential to make a beautiful film. I highly recommend listening to this.

Unique story.

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A deeply moving story with excellent storytelling. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. A true example of a family worth admiring.

A deeply moving story!

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A delightful story of kindness and compassion. Very well narrated, it takes you into the life of an amazing family, whose actions have changed the life’s of so many.

A lovely well written story

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this book is excellent. made me laugh and cry . I would have loved to have known Ronnie.

excellent

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Well written, I felt I knew Ronnie and cried at his passing ....I enjoyed Rob reading it too.

Very enjoyable and moving

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I laughed and I cried. What a wonderful story of love and the power of friendship to help and heal. It also illustrates that ‘family’ isn’t limited to biology. In a world of division and fear the story of the Parsons family is joyful and serves as a beacon of hope. Thank you.

What the world needs now …

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The author reads this moving and challenging story of how their lives were changed forever by A Knock at the Door at Christmas. Funny and sad, a true story that will not be forgotten.

A Masterstory

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