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Vacant Possession

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Vacant Possession

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

From the double Man Booker Prize-winner, a savagely funny tale that revisits the characters from the much-loved Every Day is Mother’s Day.

Muriel Axon is about to re-enter the lives of Colin Sidney and Isabel Field. It is 10 years since her last tangle with them, but for Muriel this is not time enough. There are still scores to be settled, truths to be faced and vengeance to be wreaked.

©1986 Hilary Mantel (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire Fiction Comedy Funny Thought-Provoking Witty

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Critic reviews

"The macabre and wonderfully funny plot has as many twists and turns as a well-made thriller" ( Standard)
"Hilary Mantel's wit is wonderful and startlingly nasty" ( Sunday Times)
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A brilliant sequel to the equally entertaining 'Every Day is Mother's Day'. Sharp, funny and poignant. Mantel is a wonderful writer who creates unforgettable characters. I did not want it to end.

Brilliant!

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Really exiting, funny family thriller. Excellent for anyone who loves great stories perfectly written. Got through this in less than a week

Brilliant/ exiting/

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I so enjoy Mantel's writing, the way her words slice together, the visual pictures she creates. Vacant Possession is a follow on piece to Every Day is Mother's Day, which, sadly, I have not read: sad!y as there must be so much background which would have enhanced the fuller understanding of this story despite the relevant essentials being carefully written in. This is a story of obsessions and the cyclical nature of lives and attempts to break the cycle and create a fresh start. The story is told from various points of view and it becomes increasingly difficult to hold on to who, or what, is happening as the pace grows more frenetic as the end approaches. Um - I think I need to read that last chapter again.
A good narrator is essential for this book: with so much told in conversation, the ability to give a different voice to all of the protagonists is also essential. And Sandra Duncan's performance is superb, each character differentiated, the text clearly articulated and fast paced without being rushed, just the right amount of emotion injected into the sentences without a sense of sickly domesticity. A very fine left and a pleasure to hear.

This is not my usual reading genre but what a delight this book turned out to be and one I'd not hesitate to recommend.

"Sink or swim."

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Thoroughly weird but compelling stories. I’m glad I read Everyday is Mothers Day first because Vacant Possession follows on.
One thing I will say the last 2 Chapter’s lost me somewhat I probably need to go over them again.

Fantastic book

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A rather bleak tale but moments of laugh out loud dialogue saves this from being merely macabre. Hillary Mantel is such a good writer - the book keeps you on your toes.

Black but humorous

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If you could sum up Vacant Possession in three words, what would they be?

Black macabre amusing

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable sequal - to every day is Mother's Day - digging deep into the horrors of suburbia
Sandra Duncan adds depth to the characters really helping to visualise their characters - excellent pace and tone

Highly enjoyable

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Although well written, I would not have chosen this had I known what a bleak storyline was about to unfold. Mental illness abounds in almost every character.

A depressing story

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I struggled to work out who was who at times, gripping story, brilliantly read and acted.

brilliant performance

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If you could sum up Vacant Possession in three words, what would they be?

I disagree with the previous review which suggested the ending ruined the whole tale: the ending leaves the dangling threads exactly where they should be - outrageously weird - it's the denouement of a layered and blackly hilarious sequel.Complex. Witty. Clever.A wonderful turn of phrase - I wish I had it in print so that I could more easily reread & savour some of those pithy, crafted sentences.Bravo.A gem.

A black comical sequel to peculiar opener

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Very well read despite the dreadful story with no joy in it at any point

Depressing and sad

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