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Birdsong

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Birdsong

By: Sebastian Faulks
Narrated by: Harry Lloyd, Pippa Bennett-Warner
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin

This new audio recording marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of Birdsong. This unabridged audio edition is narrated by Harry Lloyd (Game of Thrones; Wolf Hall; The Lost King) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (MotherFatherSon; Harlots; Sitting in Limbo).

In the heat of the French summer, young Englishman Stephen Wraysford travels to France and falls in love with his host's wife, Isabelle Azaire. When the world stops, their affair falters, and Stephen signs up. In a maze of tunnels under the trenches, Stephen finds the courage this war demands from the men in his command. And it is here that he will fight for everything he has ever known and loved.

A contemporary classic, Birdsong has moved millions of people all over the world. It is an epic story of passion, survival and redemption from a master storyteller.

©1993 Sebastian Faulks (P)2023 Penguin Audio 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance War & Military World War I War Military Royalty

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Critic reviews

'Magnificent - deeply moving.' Sunday Times

'Engrossing, moving, and unforgettable.' The Times
All stars
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A harrowing, epic, beautiful tale of love, belonging and the travesty of the first world war. Perfect narration from Harry Lloyd, utterly moving but never overdone. An incredible listen.

Modern classic, beautifully read

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Excellent book. Well written, fantastic story with descriptions that made you feel like you was there.

Great read

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This is not my usual type of book and author but I really enjoyed the book. It was long for me. I learnt so much especially the soldiers' relationship and living in the trenches.
I am so pleased I went to see Birdsong in Cambridge.

I might now read the Seventh Son.

soldiers' relationship and living in the trenches

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Once the first chapter is as out of the way, as it was clearly essential but did drag a bit, the battle was building and occurring. At that point I just couldn’t stop listening. Even a 10 min trip in the car I was still playing it just to keep hearing what happened next. I was sad it was over, which is ironic as that was also the end of the war, which of course was a great thing. Oh the emotions..

Brilliantly vivid.

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Sebastian Faulks’ command of the English language is impressive. I’ve sometimes replayed a short section just to listen to the way his choice of words combines to create exquisite sentences. This, with the excellent new narration, makes for an impressive story that I couldn’t recommend more highly. The characters, with their realistic flaws, are carefully interwoven. I loved the section close to the end where the events of the war and post-war years are revealed. This is a book I will definitely have to listen to again in the future when its details are remembered less vividly.

Powerful and absorbing piece of work

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This is probably the best Audible download that I have listened too, full stop. Wonderful description of the uncontrollable relationship between Stephen and Isobel followed by the trauma of the life in the trenches which, at times, completely terrifying.
The psychological affect of all this took a terrible toll which the author described at some length.
The film was good, but this book is something else.

Emotions

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I have loved this book, since I first read it. It has been a pleasure to listen to every word and hear the story all over again.

I dislike the character of Elizabeth, but understand the reason for her presence. I find the dates of Isabelle's age and early life, and sometimes the dates of events in the war, do not add up properly. I can overlook these because of my love for Stephen, and Jack.

The narration is very good, especially Stephen's voice. It's how I hear it in my head: wonderful.

Thank you for this exquisite production.

J'adore

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Tried to read this as a teenager but the sheer emotional weight and significance of it was lost on me. Now, years later, I am so grateful to have experienced this story as intended. It's difficult to express how powerful and moving this book is, and how deeply it struck me. A horrifying, yet necessary reminder to us all. We must never forget.

Absolutely phenomenal

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A fantastic story comparing man’s inhumanity to man with man’s ability to show kindness and love to his fellow beings. Jack and Steven’s story was compelling and moving.

The atrocity of war juxtaposed with human kindness

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The characterisations and the descriptions of life during the war are quite vivid. Good narration.

powerful storyline

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