The Wonder

By: Emma Donoghue

Narrated by: Tara Egan Langley

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a Netflix film starring Florence Pugh: In this “old-school page turner” (Stephen King, New York Times Book Review) by the bestselling author of Room, an English nurse is brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle—a girl said to have survived without food for months—and soon finds herself fighting to save the child's life.

Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O'Donnell, who believes herself to be living off manna from heaven, and a journalist is sent to cover the sensation. Lib Wright, a veteran of Florence Nightingale's Crimean campaign, is hired to keep watch over the girl.

Written with all the propulsive tension that made Room a huge bestseller, The Wonder works beautifully on many levels—a tale of two strangers who transform each other's lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.

Acclaim for The Wonder:

"Deliciously gothic.... Dark and vivid, with complicated characters, this is a novel that lodges itself deep" (USA Today, 3/4 stars)

"Heartbreaking and transcendent" (New York Times)

"A fable as lean and discomfiting as Anna's dwindling body.... Donoghue keeps us riveted" (Chicago Tribune)

"Donoghue poses powerful questions about faith and belief" (Newsday)

©2016 Emma Donoghue Ltd. (P)2022 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"Fascinating.... Like The Turn of the Screw, the novel opens irresistibly, when a young woman with a troubled past gets an enigmatic posting in a remote place.... Heartbreaking and transcendent and almost religious in itself."—Sarah Lyall, New York Times

"A fine, fact-based historical novel, an old-school page turner...Donoghue has written, with crackling intensity, about [spirituality's] power to destroy."—Stephen King, New York Times Book Review

"[Donoghue's] contemporary thriller Room made [her] an international bestseller, but this gripping tale offers a welcome reminder that her historical fiction is equally fine."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

great story, amazing narration

Very moving and poignant story. I haven't seen the movie, but I plan to now. I hope it does this book justice. the narrator did a fantastic job! I listened to audiobooks all the time, and I can count on one hand the number of narrators that have blown me away with their talent, and this one is definitely one of the best I've ever heard.

Slow start but amazing finale!

First off, hats off to Tara Egan Langley for a spectacular performance of this wonderful and brooding novel! No spoilers but the story moves slowly at first, and I found myself losing patience with the narrator and almost every other stubborn character in the book. But partway through, finally, a character who helps to shed light on the odd circumstances, and mystery upon mystery is revealed. The author kept me guessing until the end. I will now watch the Netflix film!

Narrator makes this story

Gripping story…I’ve been an Audible member for a long time & Tara Egan Langley is the best narrator I’ve heard.

compelling, slow and disturbing

My title sums it up. you can understand how a young Irish girl can get caught up in the Catholic ideology. You. can also understand how such a thing may happen. The book also reinforcers how the church is a master of cover ups. So much for following Jesus teachings.
Just do what you want and you'll be forgiven.

Riveting

Started off slow but so glad I stuck with it. Amazing storyline and narration. Now on to look at the other novels by this author.

Recommend, not your typical 19th century story

Wasn’t sure what to make of the protagonist at first, loved the character development, brilliant narration.

Perfection

I saw the movie and thought, this must be a book. I found it on audible and just had to listen to it. As usual, the book was even better than the movie. More in depth and a joy to listen to. I found myself thinking of the characters when I wasn't listening and looking for excuses and tasks that would allow me to listen to it. It's a wonderful story, so don't hesitate to get it

A riveting story

A life and death and life story. A very different kind of tale. Well told by the narrator. Definitely keeps your attention. I highly recommend "The Wonder"!

Excellent

I liked the movie, so I got this book. As always the book is so much better. Excellent

Excellent in Every Way

My disclaimer is that I had read this book (hard copy) when it first came out. I love Emma Donoghue’s writing, and was thrilled to return to this audiobook (I remembered many parts, but not the intricacies of the plot.) Her writing is simple and luminous, her characters multi-layered. This book takes place over the course of two weeks, and I appreciated the incisive way that Lib bucks against the conservative Catholicism— more precisely, its dogmatism—she encounters in mid1800s Ireland: the sway it holds over many characters and the frightful situation that arises from it.

If you believe that faith should never be questioned or challenged, this is not the book for you. If you believe in critical thinking, and appreciate the ability to put principles above obedience, I hope you love this book as much as I do.