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Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
- Narrated by: Jeanette Winterson
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
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Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
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Summary
Winner of the Whitbread Prize for best first fiction.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a coming-out novel from Winterson, the acclaimed author of The Passion and Sexing the Cherry.
The narrator, Jeanette, cuts her teeth on the knowledge that she is one of God’s elect, but as this budding evangelical comes of age and comes to terms with her preference for her own sex, the peculiar balance of her God-fearing household crumbles.
'Like most people I lived for a long time with my mother and father. My father liked to watch the wrestling, my mother liked to wrestle; it didn't matter what'
This is the story of Jeanette, adopted and brought up by her mother as one of God's elect. Zealous and passionate, she seems destined for life as a missionary, but then she falls for one of her converts.
At sixteen, Jeanette decides to leave the church, her home and her family, for the young woman she loves. Innovative, punchy and tender, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a few days ride into the bizarre outposts of religious excess and human obsession.
'Witty… extraordinary and exhilarating' The Times
'She is a master of her material, a writer in whom great talent abides' Vanity Fair
'Many consider her to be the best living writer in this language... In her hands, words are fluid, radiant, humming' Evening Standard
'A novel that deserves revisiting' Observer
'A wonderful rites-of-passage novel' Mariella Frostrup
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What listeners say about Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lesleyboyd
- 25-06-17
Gets even better second and third time around
I read this (and saw the TV version) many years ago and thought both were brilliant. having re-read this I found it to be even better and so had to read it a third time. This is a marvellous 'autobiography'. JW must have incredible resilience/ intellect - my admiration goes to her. A wonderful and captivating story.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Reluctant shopper
- 31-05-21
interesting story
I remember the TV show being talked about when I was younger, but I never watched it or read the book. Listening to the story, it's strange how much it sounds to be in the distant past. The one thing I found hard to relate to was how despite so much adversity, the main character still has such strength in their convictions and essential goodness to be able to keep on going, seemingly unscathed emotionally by everything that is happening to them. It's as though she has no doubts or regrets.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Culwen
- 17-11-17
A classic down to Earth story
The narration style by Jeanette the author was spot on. The subtle knocks/SFX are little gems in the story.
Easy to listen to. Great plot.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Martin
- 23-01-22
As good as I expected
Extremely well narrated. Glad I eventually got around to reading this.
But what happened to her mother always being referred to as Mrs Winterson?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C Towl
- 06-07-22
Loved it
Such a wonderful, heartwarming book with elements of my own childhood in the 80s. Took me awhile to workout that other extracts from different stories were put in each chapter so once I understood this, it flowed more easily for me. Now want to give Jeanette a big hug and high five. inspiring.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mary-Anne Farah
- 30-05-18
Inspiring and empathetic
I fell in love with Jeanette, whose retelling of her experience in fictional form helped me sort through some of my own feelings. The performance was poignant and engaging, the characterisation believable and inspiring.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rosie Peters R.peters
- 22-11-20
A dive into the world of English Christianity
Jeanette really brought the story to life through her narration.
Oranges definitely aren't the only fruit.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs.S
- 03-08-22
cult classic
I read the book first and then listened to the audiobook. the authors reading makes this a different and interesting perspective. really enjoyed it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Kate Evans
- 24-09-15
I love everything Jeanette writes.
What made the experience of listening to Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit the most enjoyable?
I think it was enhanced by the author reading
I think this always gives a more enjoyable experience, as the nuances and inflections are exactly as the authors intended.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit?
Hard to say as I adore everything Jeanette writes !
Have you listened to any of Jeanette Winterson’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I have listened to Why be happy when you can be normal, and loved that, but I think I may be somewhat biased!
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The relationship between mother and daughter was particularly emotional for me
Any additional comments?
Next on my list is Sexing the cherry read by the fabulous Juliet Stevenson
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Elina Pridepower and Tim Giebel
- 24-07-16
The novel that gave me my wings
This is one of the most inspiring and life changing novels I have had the privilege of reading and exploring. With creativity, emotion, passion and imagination, The writer / reader transports me into a beautiful world in which her fictional and nonfictional experiences help me develop a sense of identity and self. It is a beautiful and colourful novel, novel, which would have taken determination and courage to write and read, and every word was a pleasure to hear.
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5 people found this helpful