• A History of Loneliness

  • By: John Boyne
  • Narrated by: Owen McDonnell
  • Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (25 ratings)

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A History of Loneliness  By  cover art

A History of Loneliness

By: John Boyne
Narrated by: Owen McDonnell
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Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Odran Yates enters Clonliffe Seminary in 1972 after his mother informs him that he has a vocation to the priesthood. He goes in full of ambition and hope, dedicated to his studies and keen to make friends.

Forty years later, Odran’s devotion has been challenged by the revelations that have shattered the Irish people’s faith in the church. He has seen friends stand trial, colleagues jailed, the lives of young parishioners destroyed and has become nervous of venturing out in public for fear of disapproving stares and insulting remarks.

But when a family tragedy opens wounds from his past, he is forced to confront the demons that have raged within a once respected institution and recognise his own complicity in their propagation.

It has taken John Boyne 15 years and 12 novels to write about his home country of Ireland, but he has done so now in his most powerful novel to date, a novel about blind dogma and moral courage and about the dark places where the two can meet. At once courageous and intensely personal, A History of Loneliness confirms Boyne as one of the most searching chroniclers of his generation.

©2014 John Boyne (P)2020 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about A History of Loneliness

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Phenomenal

John Boyne is a brilliant writer.
Thought provoking and riveting. Catholicism in the context of Ireland. A historical picture that will remain forever .

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Absolutely brilliant

John Boyne is one of my favourite authors.
His writing is sublime.
I could not stop listening to this incredible story, brought to life so perfectly, by the reader, Owen McDonnell.
The Catholic Church, provides a highly thought provoking and horrifying central theme to the plot.
Highly recommended.

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Superb and compelling

Brilliant writing, deeply moving and narration is superb!! Easily one of the best books I have ever listened to. A tour de force.

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Excellence at its best!

One of the best written novels that I have read. Poignant , moving and raw.
I recommend it !

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