Acts of Desperation

By: Megan Nolan

Narrated by: Lauren Coe

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Love was the final consolation, would set ablaze the fields of my life in one go, leaving nothing behind. I thought of it as a force which would clean me and by its presence make me worthy of it. There was no religion in my life after early childhood and a great faith in love was what I had cultivated instead. Oh, don't laugh at me for this, for being a woman who says this to you. I hear myself speak.

Even now, even after all that took place between us, I can still feel how moved I am by him. Ciaran was that downy, darkening blond of a baby just leaving its infancy. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. None of it mattered in the end; what he looked like, who he was, the things he would do to me. To make a beautiful man love and live with me had seemed - obviously, intuitively - the entire point of life. My need was greater than reality, stronger than the truth, more savage than either of us would eventually bear. How could it be true that a woman like me could need a man's love to feel like a person, to feel that I was worthy of life? And what would happen when I finally wore him down and took it?

©2021 Megan Nolan (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Disturbing read

I found listening to this book quite disturbing. I wanted to scream at her. Powerful writing and great insight into abusive, controlling behaviour and it’s devastation on mental health. If you have been in an abusive relationship and now in a better place, I’m not sure this is a book to read.

Pushed towards the finish on this one

A bit naive, a bit boring. A poor and lacklustre description of addiction issues. To me the story line didn't hold up and the characters were pretty awful. Some lovely writing - I am sure Megan is really talented. I just couldn't warm to this.

Moving, disturbing, thought-provoking. Loved it!

Extraordinarily thought provoking piece. Disturbingly accurate dissection of a relationship. More an experience than a listen.

Sally Rooney ?

Too similar to normal people. The pity me story line is annoying! Boring at points! The reader was good. Not worth it really 😂

Lack lustre and boring!

A total disappointment - such an uneventful tale of utter self absorption and lack of imagination! Extremely boring and depressing!!

unconscious adored

The unconscious is always present . Hiding out of sight but taking control and leading the way . This in a complex journey that we as humans will all recognise. The underlying shame of what’s behind the decisions we make. I’m blown away by the authors ability’s to exist so entirely with compassion and understanding in minds if the the character she had made .

great story

really enjoyed this. original, compelling and intelligent story. would highly recommend 😊 great narrator with a lovely Irish accent that was a pleasure to listen to

Great writing

Raw & honest account of a toxic relationship. It's a story that just goes through the motions of someone's experience. Doesn't try to have a moral or profound teachings

Interesting look at a co-dependent relationship

I felt uncomfortable at times reading this book, but that’s the point. The characters aren’t particularly the most likeable but the main character to me was relatable and it’s easy to see how a relationship can spiral.

Incredible

So much of what Megan describes in this book are the thoughts and conclusions about toxic relationships that so many people will have had but couldn’t fully form. I am blown away by her ability to name behaviours. Incredible book that I will read again and again as a reminder.