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A Closed Eye

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A Closed Eye

By: Anita Brookner
Narrated by: Prunella Scales
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About this listen

Born to elegant but frivolous parents, Harriet grows up ignored and unguided, and retains a curious innocence that neither her marriage to Freddie Lytton, nor her friendship with the beautiful Tessa can dispel. Freddie is far older than she is - a companion rather than a lover - and slightly disapproving of Tessa and her irresponsible, attractive husband, Jack. Yet all four are bound together: by their backgrounds, their children, by Harriet’s unspoken feelings for Jack and by the tragedy that lies in wait for all of them.

©1991 Anita Brookner (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Marriage

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Fabulous narration from Prunella, the story is compelling to wish to get up the end, but a bit depressing . I could only listen for so long, before changing the channel. Probably quite indicative of the time.

compelling but a bit too sombre

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I hadn't read any Anita Brooker before so this was a wonderful surprise. It is such a well observed study of the struggles of a particular type of life. The writer shows so much understanding of human psychology. I found the characters and their motivations utterly believable. Prunella Scales as narrator is superb.

Thoroughly enjoyed this

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This book is quite bleak at times, but it is addictive in that one has to see what happens "in the end".
The heroine is an "anti-heroine" and frustrating in her lack of action.
Having said that, it is great for character-drawing.
Prunella Scales gave an amazing performace with the reading. That made the book interesting, when it could have become a bit droll in parts.

Great writing, great performance

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I bought this book on the off chance. I’d never read Brookner before but I’m now a fan. Her writing is bleak and poignant while also being really witty.. Her characters are all quietly struggling, forced to make compromises and frequently completely isolated from each other. They make their own private hell which they then unintentionally inflict on their children. Prunella Scales is a brilliant reader - she captures the strained, stiff upper lip tones of the characters as well as Brookner’s dry humour. Highly recommended!

A subtle, unsettling and compelling book.

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I didnt like any of it ...sorry ..It was very sad . Couldnt get interested in it

Too posh a reader

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This is the most depressing book ever although made me look at my life I suppose, no real story tries to be very clever not sure it is

The most depressing book

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Tedious. Repetitious. So long-winded I scrolled through several chapters to discover the story . . . what there was of it. Pretentious voiced reader. Brookner always has some acute observations about human behaviour but finding them here was like finding the poverbial needle. What a disappointment after Hotel du Lac.

Like a poor effort to emulate Henry James

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Gosh I regret getting this, I struggled through it, but goodness what a relief when I finished it. The story, characters, and writing are all tedious and depressing. The reading is fine, but having enjoyed Hotel du Lac, this was so disappointing.

Dreary, tedious, depressing

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I resent being obliged to write any review and shall leave audible as soon as I can

Irritation

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