Old God's Time
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.99/mo for first 3 months
Buy Now for £18.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Stephen Hogan
-
By:
-
Sebastian Barry
About this listen
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
TWICE WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR
Tom Kettle, a retired policeman, and widower, is settling into the quiet of his new home in Dalkey, overlooking the sea. His solitude is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask about a traumatic, decades-old case. A case that Tom never quite came to terms with. And his peace is further disturbed when his new neighbour, a mysterious young mother, asks for his help.
A beautiful, haunting novel, in which nothing is quite as it seems, Old God's Time is an unforgettable exploration of family, loss and love
©2023 Sebastian Barry (P)2023 Faber AudioCritic reviews
"His work reminds us how much we need these rare gifts of the natural storyteller." (Tessa Hadley)
"Full of love and heartache, this is an unforgettable novel from one of our finest writers." (Douglas Stuart)
"Shocking, stunning and extraordinarily brave. Barry has once again written a character for the ages." (Liz Nugent)
What listeners say about Old God's Time
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- P Garbett
- 20-03-23
If you enjoyed the Secret Scripture
If you enjoyed the Secret Scripture, you will appreciate and enjoy this. Indeed, you will note the many little references to the earlier work. It is not quite a sequel though, more a continuation on several themes. In the sole voice of ex-detective Tom, questions of memory, trauma and coming to terms with an often confused past are explored. The trauma in the Secret Scripture arose out of the civil war, here it is the experience of boys and girls within institutional care and the abuse many of them had to endure. Not an easy read, then, but you will be well rewarded. Once again, Barry's wonderful prose is given life by Stephen Hogan.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- catherine
- 13-03-24
very sad tale , beautiful language , very moving
could be triggering for some people. very beautifully written . strong characters and very sad. Very moving .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Inkypen
- 17-12-23
The language. Oh, the language!
Brilliantly read. A mesmerising listen which takes you into your own soul. No wonder this book has won so many awards.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Miss Denise Church
- 27-06-24
The great emotion in the reading
Such a difficult read, but oh, what a great story. I thought at one point I wasn't going to be able to complete the book, the subject matter being so difficult, but really pleased I did. The story and the reading of it will stay with me for a long time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jo
- 07-12-23
Sublime
Poetic writing covering love, loss, heartache and retribution. Fantastic narration which echoed every emotion and sentiment. Deliberately unclear whether some emotions and memories are real or remembered so listened twice (back-to-back) - and it was just as mesmerising and enjoyable the second time as it was the first.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JW Abbotts Ann
- 10-07-24
Initially the style was perplexing but ultimately really moving
Wonderful imagery. Initially I found it difficult to get into the “stream of consciousness” style but worth the effort since it proved to be a deeply moving narrative. Great narrator.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- U. Oatham
- 08-08-24
Incredibly beautiful
Another phenomenal book by Sebastian Barry. He writes so beautifully with such a delicate turn of phrase. I did have to keep stopping to take in all of the story, which was difficult to hear sometimes. What lives he created, vividly told and richly described.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mark
- 23-03-23
An Emotional Whirlpool
Sebastian Barry tells the tale of Old Tom as he peels away the crumbling layers of memory from the retired policemen with his mind haunted by a lifetime of ghosts. He writes with a savage beauty that is also lyrical and poetic even at the most awful of times. Societal changes and attitudes are mirrored in his reflection that at one time it was unmarried mothers that couldn't be buried in consecrated ground, now it should be the priests. I can think of no other contemporary writer who makes sadness and melancholy so compelling to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Manonim
- 28-04-23
Wow!
Stunning piece of work! Hauntingly captivating in depiction of grief - so beautifully written it wounds.
The wonderful narration meshes perfectly.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tom Farrington
- 02-07-23
Brilliant says it all!
Wonderfully written in Barry's descriptive and unmistakable style. As someone familiar with the location and times and subjects of the story I found the readers performance of it truly captivating. in my opinion a master piece by both author, performer and the team behind who are inevitable involved and often forgotten. I will definitely listen to again despite it's heart rending themes.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful