The Sudden Appearance of Hope

By: Claire North

Narrated by: Gillian Burke

Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2017 World Fantasy Award

Claire North has been shortlisted for The Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Award

My name is Hope Arden. I am the girl the world forgets.

It started when I was 16 years old.

A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the crimes I commit - you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life tricky. It also makes me dangerous....

The Sudden Appearance of Hope is the tale of a girl no one remembers, yet her story will stay with you for ever.

©2016 Claire North (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A mesmerising writer." (Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls)

"North's talent shines out." ( The Sunday Times)

"Little short of a masterpiece." ( The Independent)

good(ish) worth a listen

Great story telling but the main premise feels a little contrived. got over it though and finished it happily.

Another stellar piece from Claire North

Listening to Claire North novel is a total joy. Well wrought characters, with innovative and surprising plots.

Incredible musings of a forgotten mind

Of loneliness, of history, of meaning, of worth, of self, of truth.

Do yourself a favor and read this.

First problem: Story - Second problem: Too long

Claire North is great at thinking up unusual world-changing scenarios, and sometimes she is able to write a book on the subject.

It is important to note that Story and Plot is not the same (though usually used interchangeably).
Plot: What happens. All of the events and scenarios.
Story: How it makes us feel. Why we care.
Claire is pretty good at the plots, but lacks any understanding of how to create story (the feeling), so when her plots aren't super amazing, the whole book falls apart.

The Sudden Appearance of Hope has a very interesting premise. Had Claire written a Short story, then I'm sure she would have written something amazing. But a Novel, nope. It drones and drones and drones, and seeing as there is no story (no interest for the character or their world, really) the droning isn't at all interesting. In fact, she has made the character quite unlikable. I want the main character to lose. I don't know if she does, as I was simply unable to finish the book (and believe me, I tried).

I absolutely loved her "Harry August" book, and while it also lacked story, the main character was very likable, and the plot and timeline in which it was written were amazing. So I'm not giving up on her books. But this one (Sudden Appearance of Hope) is poorly written.

Here's a trick: If you absolutely love the character after one hour of listening, then sure, listen on.
If you don't LOVE her, but only like, tolerate, or even dislike her. Then this book is not for you.

I have returned this title. And I only do this in the rarest of occasions where I have been thoroughly disappointed.

SOOOOOOOO boring

I tried to finish it. Went into a depression so had to stop. Droning narrator.