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Every Day Is Mother's Day

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Every Day Is Mother's Day

By: Hilary Mantel
Narrated by: Sandra Duncan
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About this listen

Evelyn and Muriel Axon, mother and daughter, lead a haunted existence. Objects of horror to their neighbours, they evade or terrorise any social worker who crosses their path. Inside their house, they pursue a covert persecution of each other, shrinking from the unseen occupants of their spare room. But change is in the air…

Every Day is Mother's Day is a merciless comedy of colliding lives: of sex, death, madness, adultery and the social services.

©1985 Hilary Mantel (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Romance Satire Comedy Funny Heartfelt Witty Mind-bending

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Critic reviews

"Strange…rather mad…extremely funny…she reminded me of the early Muriel Spark" ( Auberon Waugh)
"What a terrific book" ( Fay Weldon)
All stars
Most relevant  
It was kind of like a very miserable version of Abigail's Party! I had to listen to the end just to find out what happens to the badly cared for disabled person.
It does stick in your mind because of the traumatic storylines within. I probably should have given it more stars, but how can you give stars to awful topics. I will give it a 'very good and well written' here though.

Very Odd indeed.

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I'm not even sure why I bought this but within minutes I was hooked. It is utterly addictive.
Hilary Mantel's writing has never been more vivid, more immediate, and her eye for detail more acute: the social worker telling Colin she did not think he was married because he looked too unkempt, or Sylvia looking like a 'badly constructed Christmas decoration that someone had forgotten to put away' as they head for the nightmare dinner party.
The dialogue can make you gasp in shock and delight (especially in Mrs Axon's final talk with her daughter, but spoilers would be unfair).
Sandra Duncan is the perfect reader for this, outstanding with Evelyn Axon's querulous tones.
Altogether an amazing package, and I already have the sequel downloaded.

Utterly addictive

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Very well written. Hilary Mantel has an unerring eye for detail.Her characterisations are written in perfect prose,every word chosen carefully.
The narration was perfect.
It has made me want to read more by this author.

Totally enthralled

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I know it’s supposed to be dark but it could do with a bit more humour. I was really depressed by the end! Beyond Black struck a better balance I feel…

Pretty depressing tbh

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Where does Every Day Is Mother's Day rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

not one of the best but amongst my top 10 so far i will certainly listen to it again

Would you be willing to try another book from Hilary Mantel? Why or why not?

quite possibly although I have read paper copies of 2 of her books already

Which character – as performed by Sandra Duncan – was your favourite?

I liked mum and daughter the interaction and misunderstanding between them

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

would you like to live next door to these people ?

Any additional comments?

i enjoyed listening to this book i found it at times quite thought provoking and sad

a srangly beguiling read

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I found this book thoroughly depressing. Don't get me wrong the narrator was good, maybe too good because she vividly depicted the lives of these characters that seem to be devoid of any hope, joy or humour. At the end of it I found myself frantically thinking what book I could listen to that would counteract the deep melancholy I felt . Misguidedly I also bought Vacant Possession the follow up to this book. I will not however be listening to it anytime soon. If it's anything like this one I feel I will need to secure a prescription for anti depressants before I can endure it.

How Depressing

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This is a dark, dark tale illuminated by the wonderful writing of Hilary Mantel. I learned yesterday that Virginia Woolfe felt there was nothing left to write after reading Proust. Hilary Mantel makes me feel like that.

Dark!

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I thought Ms Mantel only wrote historical works. This story is very different, atmospheric and very unusual. Thoroughly recommended. Narration deserves special mention. It is just perfect.

A pleasant surprise

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Listening to a book is entirely different to reading a book. You are taken along at the teller's pace and miss time for reflection. Even still I did not find this book a 'comedy'. Acutely observed and beautifully written about dreary every day characters, some dysfunctional, two very. I wonder they deserve the time spent on them. None of them gained my sympathy but I am sure there was no intention from the author to do so. Bitter angry hopeless is the feeling and conclusion.

A Comedy?

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I know Hilary Mantel has recieved accolades over the years and this book delivers 🙌

This author is Fantastic

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