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Melmoth

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Melmoth

By: Sarah Perry
Narrated by: Emilia Fox
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About this listen

Twenty years ago Helen Franklin did something she cannot forgive herself for, and she has spent every day since barricading herself against its memory. But her sheltered life is about to change.

A strange manuscript has come into her possession. It is filled with testimonies from the darkest chapters of human history, which all record sightings of a tall, silent woman in black, with unblinking eyes and bleeding feet: Melmoth, the loneliest being in the world. Condemned to walk the Earth forever, she tries to beguile the guilty and lure them away for a lifetime wandering alongside her.

Everyone that Melmoth seeks out must make a choice: to live with what they've done or be led into the darkness. Helen can't stop reading or shake the feeling that someone is watching her. As her past finally catches up with her, she too must choose which path to take.

Exquisitely written, and gripping until the very last minute, this is a masterpiece of moral complexity, asking us profound questions about mercy, redemption and how to make the best of our conflicted world.

©2018 Sarah Perry (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Gothic Horror Scary

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Summary

Twenty years ago Helen Franklin did something she cannot forgive herself for, and she has spent every day since barricading herself against its memory. But her sheltered life is about to change.

A strange manuscript has come into her possession. It is filled with testimonies from the darkest chapters of human history, which all record sightings of a tall, silent woman in black, with unblinking eyes and bleeding feet: Melmoth, the loneliest being in the world. Condemned to walk the Earth forever, she tries to beguile the guilty and lure them away for a lifetime wandering alongside her.

Everyone that Melmoth seeks out must make a choice: to live with what they've done or be led into the darkness. Helen can't stop reading or shake the feeling that someone is watching her. As her past finally catches up with her, she too must choose which path to take.

Exquisitely written, and gripping until the very last minute, this is a masterpiece of moral complexity, asking us profound questions about mercy, redemption and how to make the best of our conflicted world.
All stars
Most relevant  
Just couldn't get into this, listened for nearly 2 hours & still no story. Narration was good but so dull & boring.

Show & Boring-returned it

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Why do Czechs always have to speak with a Russian accent? It’s tiring, inaccurate, and frankly offensive. Pronunciation of Czech places and words was dismal and it was not easy deciphering what was meant.
The story was a bit bland and boring.
Overall, not impressed

Meh combined with a terrible “Czech” accent

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Extremely good narration of a very well written engaging novel. Highly recommended. Enjoyed it immensely!

Very good exploration of the nature of guilt ...

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However it was totally diluted by the authors use of flowery (more often than not unnecessary) descriptive language.

At the heart of the story lies the retelling of the gothic myth of Melmoth and her complicated interaction with protagonist Helen.

Unfortunately the thread of the story was frequently interrupted with, what I can only describe as, excess words that served no purpose. These did not add to ambience and detracted from the tale. I often had to go back a few pages to pick the tale again.

Great Story

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wonderful performance by Emilia Fox. This story is beautifully written, disturbing and moving.

Dipping in and out of stories though the ages, exploring the despair of others.

Offering an insight into the human condition, and how we torture ourselves over our past action - or inaction.

Above all, it is a story of hope.

Wonderful

Deeply moving and excellent performance

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I'm finding this audiobook very difficult to review. It was a beautifully written book and the narration was superb, but I did struggle to become involved with the characters.
The story built up a great sense of tension and dread but it was incredibly slow going in places and I found myself drifting off and having to listen again to sections.
I would recommend it to others but feel you need to be in a certain frame of mind to fully appreciate.

Slow going!

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I’d enjoyed The Essex Serpent so was keen to read this. It does not disappoint and the ending was superb.

Emilia Fox is an excellent narrator.

Wonderfully gothic

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Exquisite writing, engaging to the last word. Brilliantly performed and fulfilling of the listeners desire for the narrative to deliver. I loved this book. Possibly my most favoured listen ever. A new fan of Sarah Perry, my next Credit will be spent on The Essex Serpent. Thank you.

A delicious enquiry into the dark side of human nature

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The language and pace of the writing in this book are just gorgeous. It is a real pleasure to listen to. The story itself is a gently unfolding study of humanity and morals.
The narrator, I found, was relaxing to listen to, very gentle and soft. It added to the creepiness of some parts. I really wished she had varied her voice a little more for some of the characters. Some were excellent, but some were indistinguishable from the main narrative.

Beautifully written

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Too long and the story weaved through too many different eras. Melmoth linked the stories but very tangibly.

Melmoth

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