Half a World Away

By: Mike Gayle

Narrated by: Kayi Ushe, Joanna Brookes

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of The Man I Think I Know.

Strangers living worlds apart.

Strangers with nothing in common.

But it wasn't always that way....

Kerry Hayes is a single mum, living on a tough south London estate. She provides for her son by cleaning houses she could never hope to afford. Taken into care as a child, Kerry cannot ever forget her past.

Noah Martineau is a successful barrister with a beautiful wife, daughter and home in fashionable Primrose Hill. Adopted as a child, Noah always looks forward, never back.

When Kerry reaches out to the sibling she lost on the day they were torn apart as children, she sets in motion a chain of events that will have life-changing consequences for them both.

By turns funny and moving, Half a World Away is a story that will stay with you long after you listen its powerfully emotional, heart-breaking final minute.

©2019 Pizza FTD Ltd (P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Ten star story

This is, by far, the best book I have ever read. All the emotions are there, love hate joy sadness. If you don't ever read another book ever, make sure you read this one. The narrators are excellent and capture the mood for all. Peeps dont let yourselves down, get this book and enjoy the midiad of twists and turns, the love, the pain, the hearsore. It is sensational.

I loved the voices

I could not stop thinking about Carrie & Noah and their families. Beautiful story of sadness, family and overcoming life’s ups and downs. Makes me want to be more like Carrie.

Beautiful

Mike Gayle is quite the Heartbreaker! This is my second if his novels and he certainly knows how to make you love characters before devastating the reader. This was beautiful all the way through!

Amazing!

I loved everything about this book. Yes, it was predictable but in the best of ways. Well-developed, yet distinct characters, perfectly narrated. Mike Gayle got it right: this reader wholeheartedly entered into a "willing suspension of disbelief." Thank you!

An excellent story

Not only is the story good but both narrators make the story. Sad and tragic but full of love. I didn’t want it to end.

Well done!

Very good story. Fantastic narration. Sad. Three hanky story. I’m glad I listened to it.

Surprisingly wonderful!

I always admire a talented writer and great narration. This story had both! I’ll miss these characters I’ve become attached to!

Just beautiful

I am so glad I gave this one a go. It was all the feels. And just what I needed 💛

Another Winner

I couldn’t put this one down. Some days I started it as soon as I woke up in the morning, and then - as soon as I got off work - I put my earbuds on and started it right back up again. I love Mike Gayle’s writing style. Completely absorbing!!!

So so good!!

Absolutely loved these characters! Laugh out loud and cry at same time! What a wonderful book!

Absolutely brilliant

Another great book from Mike Gayle. I would recommend that everyone listen this as it’s not only brilliantly written, but the narrators are marvellous. I drove down the M4 in tears listening to it and the Kayi Ushe and Joanna Brooke’s made it so real. I would love to find out what happens to the characters next. If only there were more stars as five just aren’t enough

Uplifting

This book is very cleverly constructed. There is nothing superfluous. Every chapter moves the story forward or provides explanation. The narrators are just superb. Make sure you have some time available to get through this one as it is difficult to stop listening.. Uplifting and yes possibly life changing.

Loved it

I have the memory of a sieve but this is one of the rare books that I won't forget.
A lovely storyline and well performed by both readers, making it easy to listen to.
I won't give the plot away but I'm currently going through a similar experience with a friend so I found the book pretty emotional and spot on with some of the descriptions.
Well done Mike, another fab book. Iloved your last book and look forward to your next.

Fabulous story & performances!

Great book! Narration was brilliant, well done & thank you to Joanna & Kayi for bringing the characters to life. As someone who was born & brought up in Nottinghill I loved Kerry’s accent, it brought back some fab memories! The performances made it feel like you were listening to a play. Really wonderful story, one of those books you’ll remember for a long time and didn’t want to end. Highly recommend!

Breathtakingly beautiful

I'd heard so much about this book before I listened to it, I was expecting to sob my way from the first word until the last. I didn't cry, I did well up a few times but didn't actually shed a tear. Please don't misunderstand, this isn't because the book isn't intensely moving and highly emotional, it is both those things and more. It's the writing, which is so exquisite in its eloquence and lyricism I didn't want to miss a word. Mike Gayle's words are poetic, his writing possesses a rhythm so mellifluous I needed to imbibe every beat. As if the words themselves aren't enough of a gift, they are presented to us by the talents of Kayi Ushe and Joanna Brookes who made me feel as if Noah, Kerry and the rest of the cast were performing solely for me, in my own home. It wasn't just the depth of Mr Gayle's understanding of human emotions that was so moving, it was the manner in which he delivered that comprehension to us that has made such a lasting impression. Half a World Away is a paradoxical book, a heartbreaking and desperately sad tale, which left me feeling uplifted and revived. Mr Gayle has made a mark on my heart and my soul, which I imagine will stay with me for many years to come.

This book broke my heart and put it back together!

I absolutely adored this book!!! It's the second book I have read by Mike Gayle, the first being The Man I Think I Know which was also amazing!! The characters were so likeable and I loved the unlikely pairing of souls!! There is depth in his books and this one certainly touched me and made me cry!!! Heartbreaking but heartwarming at the same time!! X

A palpable hug of a book

This is the second book I have listened to by Mike Gayle. Whilst it’s not my normal genre it is nice to listen to a gentle non taxing book.

This book delivers, human kindness, life lessons and strong spirit through tears and laughter. Kerry and Noah are believable characters as well as the other people who surround their lives.
It is a simple but in a way complex book and l would highly recommend it.

Lastly the narration was outstanding. How Joanna Brookes pulled off a Geordie south London accent all rolled into one was extraordinary.

Dull predictable mush

Spoiler! Where does the title come from? He lives in a posh flat she lives in a council flat. In London.

Best Audio book I’ve listened to

This book had me laughing and crying in equal measure! Loved the characters - 100% recommend

A Read Not to be Missed !

Half a World Away was recommended to me by a friend and I am so grateful - it’s a book that you cannot stop listening to: - sad, amusing, shocking and so true to life - a book to make you think & reflect - today I just had to listen to it on and off all day to hear the end.
Buy now it’s worth it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟