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The Blackwater Lightship

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The Blackwater Lightship

By: Colm Toibin
Narrated by: Niamh Cusack
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About this listen

Set in Ireland in the 1990s, Colm Tóibín's The Blackwater Lightship tells the story of the Devereux family. Dora Devereux, her daughter Lily and her granddaughter Helen have come together after years of strife and reached an uneasy truce. Helen’s adored brother, Declan, is dying. Two friends join him and the women in a crumbling old house by the sea, where the six of them, from different generations and with different beliefs, must listen to and come to terms with one another.

©1999 Colm Toibin (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Emotionally Gripping Ireland

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Gentle, touching story with realistic characters I quickly warmed to and felt l was privileged to witness their story. Narration is perfect and thank you to Ms Cusack for the care with which she told the story xx

Sensitive and beautiful story read perfectly

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This is, on the surface, a simple, sad story which explores complex family relationships. Much of it will resonate with those who have had to navigate difficulty mother-daughter relationships and it is all the more remarkable that the author is male given the insights into female sensibilities. Although sad, the story offers hope. The story will stay with me quite a while I feel.
Worth mention is the narrator’s gentle, sensitive performance which is just perfect.

Beautiful story sympathetically narrated

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An insightful story about healing of a family coming about through a desperate illness. Sad and moving, yet ultimately hopeful.

Moving and hopeful

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This is a very enjoyable story by Colm Toibin, beautifully read by Niamh Cusack. I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out. The ending was a little rushed but maybe that’s just me- I like everything cut and dried by the end of a book!

Great storyline

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Cusack could not have given the Author a better voice
Very gruelling towards the end

So beautifully read

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A beautifully written, poignant exposition of how restrictive and grief stricken family life can be redeemed by further heartbreak. Devastating and yet hope filled

Heartbreaking

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Niamh Cossack imbues so much feeling and Irish -ness into the reading of this book. I feel the story is a bit weak but her beautiful voice carry’s you along.

Achingly beautiful

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Enjoyed this well written novel but found the audio quality unclear and fuzzy, which is a shame as the narration is good.

Good listen but poor audio quality

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If you have studied psychology and bowlby then this book will resonate . How children have no capacity to comprehend when they are abandoned how it strikes huge holes in their souls so that it becomes a hindrance to their ability to manage relationships going forward . Toibin has managed to portray the sorrows of childhood and how family dysfunction can affect us . Entwined with this he throws light on the twin suffering of how Ireland in its denying homosexuality has echoed this with its own children cutting them off from society in similar manner and allowing its citizens to ignore a whole section of humanity . A masterpiece in writing again . Highly recommend although not if you are looking for a cheery end to the week

A study of Grief and understanding and denial

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As expected, Toibin’s exploration of a fractured family is compelling. Although written over 20 years ago, it remains fresh and it’s easy to imagine that it remains a relevant reflection of disparate lives and small town attitudes.

The story centres on Helen who lives happily in Dublin with her husband and two children. She’s estranged from her mother and grandmother, but an unexpected call to see her sick brother, Declan, in hospital has repercussions.

Toibin is skilled at bringing characters to life and this book is no exception. He explores some difficult themes including illness, death, petty jealousies, resentment and the real nature of love and friendship. By flashback, the listener learns the backstory of the central characters and the reasons for relationship breakdowns. Will they be able to trust and love again?

Narration throughout is superb. Really enjoyed this well rounded tale

Introspective and compelling

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