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A Town Called Solace

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A Town Called Solace

By: Mary Lawson
Narrated by: Maggie Huculak, Tajja Isen, Ian Lake
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2021.

Clara's sister is missing. Angry, rebellious Rose had a row with their mother, stormed out of the house and simply disappeared. Eight-year-old Clara, isolated by her distraught parents' efforts to protect her from the truth, is grief-stricken and bewildered.

Liam Kane, newly divorced, newly unemployed, newly arrived in this small northern town, moves into the house next door, a house left to him by an old woman he can barely remember and within hours gets a visit from the police. It seems he's suspected of a crime.

At the end of her life Elizabeth Orchard is thinking about a crime too, one committed 30 years ago that had tragic consequences for two families and in particular for one small child. She desperately wants to make amends before she dies.

Set in Northern Ontario in 1972, A Town Called Solace explores the relationships of these three people brought together by fate and the mistakes of the past. By turns gripping and darkly funny, it uncovers the layers of grief and remorse and love that connect us, but shows that sometimes a new life is possible.

©2021 Mary Lawson (P)2021 Penguin Audio Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Tear-jerking Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Crime

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Critic reviews

"I've been trying to tell everyone I know about Mary Lawson.... Each one of her novels is just a marvel." (Anne Tyler)

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This is definitely my number 1 in 2021.
It was such a good listen.
The storyline, narration was excellent.
Loved everything about it.
Definitely recommend it

Loved it.

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A cut above most things I’ve read this year: a lovely story Lawson allows to unfold gently and believably. There’s a real sense of this isolated town and the people in it and the three narrators make for a 3D rendition. I’m looking for more Mary Lawson now!

Great story well told

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I just adored this book. Incredible characters and heartfelt prose. Also, fantastic narration. Highly recommended!

Wonderful!

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The only thing that spoiled it was the awful squeaky voice of Clara's narration. Like nails on a blackboard. Otherwise fantastic

Brilliant book

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I loved this book. Lovable characters and a beautifully meandering tale of a small town and its inhabitants. It reminded me of Elizabeth Strout’s Lucy Barton - high praise.

Beautiful story

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Highly recommend this on all counts. I’m now going to go to all the other books written by this author. Absolutely hooked me in.

Read or Listen to This

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Hadn’t come across this author before, but so glad I have found this authentic voice. Everything about this book rings true, strikes a chord and makes you recall or rethink. I loved it! It’s a slow, but always engaging, listen and how it packed so much into a modest length with it feeling a leisurely pace is a wonder. Some of the best narration I have listened to.......and I have listened to a lot of audio books! I forgot it was one man at times as his repertoire is so good. So I thoroughly recommend this mystery/ family observation/ love story with a bit of humour thrown in and will be searching for more Mary Lawson right now. Enjoy. It is well worth a credit.

A wonderful read!

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Bereft to have had to leave Solace and the characters, totally engrossing. The narrators were perfect

Loved it!

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I really enjoyed this. Beautifully written and read. An easy listen and wanted to keep on and disappointed when it ended . I was there in Solace.

Relaxing

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Love this story…listen to it every min I could..sad it’s ended..hope her other books are just as good

None stop read …or none listen too!

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