• Blessed

  • The Breakout Year of Rampaging Roy Slaven
  • By: John Doyle
  • Narrated by: John Doyle
  • Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
  • 3.6 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

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Blessed

By: John Doyle
Narrated by: John Doyle
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Publisher's Summary

Who is Rampaging Roy Slaven? An Australian icon, a raconteur, an athlete of unsurpassable - and some may say improbable - sporting feats. Whether it was riding Rooting King to another Melbourne Cup victory, commentating the Olympics or hobnobbing with the country's upper crust, Rampaging Roy Slaven has lived an extraordinary life.

But even some of the greatest men come from humble beginnings. Before he shot to fame as Australia's most talented sportsman, he was just another kid in Lithgow, trying to avoid Brother Connell's strap and garner the attention of Susan Morgan from the local Catholic girls school.

Blessed follows one year in the life of the boy who would become Rampaging Roy Slaven, a boy who, even at the age of 15, knew he was destined for greatness but had to get through high school first.

John Doyle, the man who knows him best, delves into the early years of the master of midfield mayhem.

©2021 John Doyle (P)2021 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Blessed

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Solid but ....well...just solid

Not much here. a simple story that moves a little. Without the names Slaven and Doyle this would be a zero. Needed more humour or a richer story

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Not great, Roy

Becomes an anti Catholic polemic, and I am no Catholic, so hugely disappointing. Much of promise in the Doyle/Slavin story, but there is real confusion between the fictional and real persons in this story, and it seems that the possibility of joy has been compromised in the interests of jihad. HG's story of life in the Barossa is at least better if entertainment without sermonising is the goal, although even that is not up to their 80s peak.

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  • Robbie
  • 09-12-21

Simply Brilliant

You would expect nothing less from one of the most naturally gifted humans to ever call Lithgow home…
My only critique is that Mudgee is not a shit hole.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Anonymous User
  • 08-27-21

I didn't want this story to end

Endearing, funny, warm, masterfully told and narrated. Instant Australian classic. John Doyle has done a brilliant job with this fictional tale that must be largely fashioned from his real childhood experiences and associates, it just feels too pure and true to be otherwise.

I was drawn in very early and I found myself looking at the 'minutes remaining' after every listen with regret. It was a real treat and as you would expect, John really delivers a great performance.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Paul H Bowers
  • 03-20-23

A great listen.

Wonderful to rediscover how everyday life was in Lithgow, and, therefore, all other country towns during the ‘60s.
Flawless narration, and thoroughly entertaining.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 03-08-23

Better than when I read it myself

Doyle brings the characters to life with warmth and, well, recognition. I enjoyed it more than when I read it myself.

Loved it completely.

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  • Josh Button
  • 07-02-22

A Fun Yarn

A coming of age story from another age. A fun yarn narrated by a brilliant storyteller. I could listen to Doyle all day.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-05-22

Great listen and performance

A fantastic listen and Mr Doyle as anticipated produced a terrific story and performance. Please deliver 1968 asap!

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  • Brett
  • 04-18-22

The True Story of Rampaging Roy Slaven

Every Australian knows Rampaging Roy Slaven, the most successful sportsman ever thanks to his unbeaten prowess in footy, cricket and tennis.
Now we get the inside story on his breakout year back in Lithgow.
Riveting, truly beautiful and very funny. Don’t miss it!

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  • Brendon R
  • 04-07-22

Sensational!

An absolutely brilliant audio book, loved every minute of it. Extremely well written and narrated perfectly.

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  • David
  • 04-03-22

Heart warming - laugh and cry simultaneously!

I cannot adequately express just how much I enjoyed listening to John Doyle read his work. So many memories, images and ideas came alive from my own school years in response to his deft expressions and playful story telling.
Thank you Mr Doyle.
Thank you!

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  • Peter Cornthwaite
  • 03-05-22

Chuckles!

Loved it - a great Aussie story, I had a number of chuckles listening to this 😊