Maurice and Maralyn cover art

Maurice and Maralyn

A Whale, a Shipwreck, a Love Story

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Maurice and Maralyn

By: Sophie Elmhirst
Narrated by: Florence Howard
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

**WINNER OF THE NERO AWARDS GOLD PRIZE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024**
**WINNER OF THE NERO AWARDS NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024**

An extraordinary true story of shipwreck, survival and love

Bored of 1970s suburban life, Maurice and Maralyn plan their escape: sell the house, build a boat, set sail for New Zealand. Then, halfway around the world, their beloved boat is struck by a whale and the pair are cast adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Alone on a tiny raft, their love is put to the test. This is a book about human connection and the human condition; about how we survive – not just at sea, but in life.

'An enthralling, engrossing story of survival' Bill Bryson
‘An absolute jewel of a book’ India Knight
‘A gripping tale of adventure’ Elizabeth Day
‘An extraordinary survival story’ Sunday Times

A Guardian, Observer & Waterstones Non-fiction Book of the Year

©2024 Sophie Elmhirst (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Marriage & Long-Term Partnerships Relationships Romance Inspiring Heartfelt

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This is a sea story from another age. Chronologically not so long ago, but in other ways a parallel universe to today. M&M are from a different era, shaped by the lack of opportunities for working class people in post-war Britain. But the freedom they feel they lack they create. Maurice is a difficult hero to like. Marilyn the type of person you would always want on your team.
An unimaginable survival story so very worth the telling.

4 months at sea in a liferaft

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This was narrated so well and enveloped me in the story, not only the tense drama of their time adrift, but the emotional end. Just brilliant.

What a story

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Utterly brilliant loved this book just so moving and beautiful and unexpectedly funny so well written

Beautiful moving funny fascinating

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As a sailor, I had hoped this story would deal in more detail about the character’s sailing, their boat and the journey. But it focused more on food lists and less on sail. I didn’t feel for them in the way I should have.

Not the nautical adventure I hoped for

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Written with such devastating detail and descriptions, combined with the melodic, consistent tones of this fabulous narrator we listened on a road trip around Italy and felt like we were stranded on that dingy with Maurice & Marilyn.

so transported by the storytelling we are sifting through the catalogue of Florence Howard narrated books. Any future work from Howard or Elmhirst will be added to the top of the wishlist. Highly recommend

Incredible story, beautifully told and written!

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I enjoyed this due to the good narration. I used to sail a lot and grew up in the same town as Cliff Mitchelmore. It’s good on grief, strong women and the perils of celebrity status pre social media. Maurice would probably have a label nowadays

Sailing, suffering, saviour and sanity

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Could not stop listening. Incredible true story. What a woman Maralyn is. So strong and such perseverance.

Exceptional story and narration

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I read 117 Days Adrift many years ago. This was an enjoyable and fascinating re-visit of that sailing classic, but also a touching story of love and humanity. It takes the reader to places they don't expect and moved me to reflect on my own ambitions, loves and life in a positive way.

A fascinating new take on an old story

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Stunning account of the shipwrecked couple. Exquisite character observation, and an astounding story of survival.

Riveting!

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This was a very exciting adventure story about a couple who really survived the odds. Incredible detail of their journey. I loved it!

Marvellous adventure story

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