Light Perpetual

By: Francis Spufford

Narrated by: Imogen Church

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

November 1944. A German rocket strikes London and five young lives are atomised in an instant.

November 1944. That rocket never lands. A single second in time is altered and five young lives go on - to experience all the unimaginable changes of the 20th century.

Because maybe there are always other futures. Other chances.

Light Perpetual is a story of the everyday, the miraculous and the everlasting. Ingenious and profound, full of warmth and beauty, it is a sweeping and intimate celebration of the gift of life.

From the best-selling, prize-winning author of Golden Hill, a novel of the everyday, the miraculous and the everlasting.

©2021 Francis Spufford (P)2021 W F Howes

Brilliant

It is extraordinary what Francis Spufford understands about living, about life, about being human. I thoroughly enjoyed spending all these hours listening to Imogen Church. Thank you both for an experience I will carry with me for a long time.

Bad narration

Nauseating pre school delivery of reading. Yuk. Pity as a good book. Unbelievable poor production choice.

Cannot bear the narration another minute

Loving the story, but going to return this and listen using text to speech software on kindle version instead. Yes, that's how annoyingly inappropriate the narration style choice is. So intrusive, sing-songy pre-school style as pointed out by another disappointed listener. Over prescriptive in how she reads and punches individual words home, allowing for any other r interpretation of the beautiful prose. So disappointed, this novel deserves SO much better.

I have wasted a credit

Thestory was non existent and the performance was dreadful I could only suffer ten minutes

Yet again an excellent book narrated badly

I heard this on radio 4 and it was excellent so used my credit to get this version - dreadful - I didn’t even get through 5 minutes before the overacting of the narrator drove me mad - who chose this actor god only knows there is no gravitas to her voice - she reminds me of Liz Truss trying to get excited about cheese in her speech.

Truly excellent!

This is a wonderful book. Brilliantly and compellingly written, it superbly reflects the lives we lead, and the thoughts and motivations that lie beneath the surface. It is very well narrated too. Listening to the initial chapter I can see why there are negative comments, as it does sound rather slow and deliberate, but stick with it and Imogen Church demonstrates real mastery of her art. The accents, the clarity and the expressions are first class. Unputdownable and affecting!

brilliant

Really good story. Well read, beautiful example of how to use English in novels. enjoy

Bloody Brilliant

as a dedicated South Londoner born in north London and schooled in Peckham and East Dulwich before moving to Welling and now living in Sidcup via Belvedere and Bow, this story really resonates with me. I know Becksford is fictional but I really really would like to meet Francis down the pub to talk over the old places and times. We probably went to the same school? Who knows. tt was the exact kind of descriptive listen that I like allowing me to picture exactly what is going on and where it is. The narrator was bloody marvellous as well with all the right voices, sounds and inclinations that enhance the the wording perfectly. Thoroughly recommended and if Francis is reading this, get in touch and I will buy you that beer or white wine if you prefer, Bazzer

A fantastic epic, perfectly read!

A really beautiful story told across eras with pitch perfect narration. Would recommend to fans of David Mitchell.

A dip into people's lives over the years.

This was a really good listen, following the lives of a group of children (at the start) and their varies paths through life, up and downs, good and bad.

It is a great book, with lots to think about by the end.

I listened at 1.45 speed (as I'd forgotten how soon my bookclub meeting was!) and it seemed to be a natural speed.

fantastic 😊

Just loved listening to this poignant, rollicking, compassionate roller coaster of a story. the characters are so realistic you feel as if you have met them. the narration is lively and entertaining. full marks for a fantastic production and wonderful story. I loved it