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The Time Being  By  cover art

The Time Being

By: Antonia Honeywell
Narrated by: Melody Grove
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Publisher's Summary

At 11 Lalla should be enjoying her childhood in London. But this is not London as we know it. In a collapsed society, Lalla struggles to imagine her future. When a government announcement invites her to enjoy a new life in Regent’s Park, Lalla sees a glimmer of hope. But what is she willing to risk?

The Time Being is the short-story prequel to The Ship by Antonia Honeywell, if you enjoyed this, you’ll love the full-length novel sequel.

©2014 Antonia Honeywell (P)2014 W.F. Howes Ltd

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What listeners say about The Time Being

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Short and Free

This seemed to me to have the feel of a YA girl story. I did not hate it or love it. It did not encourage me to buy the full length novel. If you are interested it is free and it is short.

17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I want more from this author!

This story is interesting. How often is that actually true? The characters, the setting, the descriptions, all interesting. I was motivated to go find Honeywell's blog where, as I hoped, she said her (first) book will be released soon. I will absolutely be giving it a try.

8 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Good narration, meh story

A short story free from Audible, consisting mainly of an 11-year-old girl in a dystopian London who decides she knows better than her parents and subsequently putting all of them in great danger. I loathed the girl, Lalla – I’m not a huge fan of children, and this is a great example of why: “I want to go.” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” Repeat ad infinitum. I once worked for CVS, with its bank of candy bars in front of the registers, and will always remember one father and very young daughter who came in. “Daddy, I want a candy bar.” “No, honey.” “I want a candy bar.” “No.” “But I want one!” “I said no.” “Daddy, I want a candy bar!” “No.” “DADDY, I WANT A CANDY BAR!” “Fine. Which one?” I wanted to punch him in the nose. So I’m well aware that it’s the parents who are at fault in something like this – the CVS dad caved, and the parents in the story didn’t bother to tell Lalla what was obvious to a listener (“The films aren’t real, you’ll be shot, we’ll be shot, stop asking”). But I still despised the girl.

The story might be meaningful to someone who has read the book it prequels; for me it broke no new ground and provided no enjoyment to counter my irritation with the main character. The narration by Melody Grove was quite good – I will keep an eye out for her in the future – but otherwise I’m glad this was free. And brief.

7 people found this helpful

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got it free

I got it free but I would have paid for it was a very interesting short story

2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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No hope

Any additional comments?

This is a short story told from a 12 year ldd point of view and the performer sounds like a 12 year old. The story was OK till the end where it seamed the girl gave up hope and just went with the flow.

2 people found this helpful

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wanting more

The narration is well done. The story is interesting but it seems too much is left to the imagination.

1 person found this helpful

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An interesting little story.

It was an interesting story, obviously a teaser to introduce you to the character and setting. It was free so I won't knock it, but it wasn't bad. A nice little story to peak your interest in the dystopian future for this little girl and the new world where no food grows, life depends on computer updates and the military is feared. I would possibly be interested in listening to the next story but am not chomping at the bit to see what happens next.

1 person found this helpful

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Prequel to The Ship

Lightly Christian, post apocalyptic short prequel to THE SHIP. Free 30 min Audible Plus. London.

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Short Story of a Dystopian Future

Interesting & actually complete, but not finished or polished, in my opinion, but might be to someone else.

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if your it fit this it f

the it'd hit it four in fit it if it'd it it if he th during rd floor t th d

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  • VJ
  • 02-20-15

Captivating.

This short is the prequel to a novel - so captivating I have bought the novel and am about to listen to what happens next.
A new author with fresh ideas - excellent way to get readers (listeners) hooked!

6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • UsefulThings
  • 02-16-15

Interesting dystopian short listen

I really enjoyed this - told from the childs point of view, there is much she (and we) don't understand about the world, what happened, and why it is the way it is.
I loved it and wish there was more. Excellent narration.

5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • dunerunner
  • 01-03-16

well told

very enjoyable listened in bed and really enjoyed the story. my first audio book and free too.cant fault that can you.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Elva Sabin
  • 12-30-15

great for a free book!

When you doing have much time its great to have a short story. This was my first experience at an audio book, loved it.

4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • klf
  • 12-29-15

great read. looking forward to reading the ship

Narration was almost a bit sweet for the story but the actual story was great and looking forward to reading The Ship

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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  • M Basilva
  • 12-26-15

good book to read 😊😊

The book is very good I didn't like the ending its not good for younger views I am 12 and this book is kind rated for teens even though I am young I really enjoyed the book so download it because it's really good and very meaningful 👏👏

4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Polly_Pocket
  • 02-16-15

excellent

loved it amazing read very interesting book can't wait to read the full version superb

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • S. Corner
  • 01-03-16

good

A good story and made you think why do we fly green beans and roses from Africa to England!

3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • georgia van eijk
  • 12-20-15

A good taster

This was really well narrated and left me wanting to know more! I now cant wait to read the book.

3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Imogen
  • 11-07-15

Haunting.

I would love to read a full novel by this author after reading this. I love post apocalyptic stuff.

3 people found this helpful

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  • Variety
  • 11-14-19

Enthralling

A fantastic listene from beginning to end.
Even though it was a short story, I really felt like I understood what had happened and what was happening.
I really want to hear the main story now

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Bonita
  • 02-18-19

Moving

For such a short peice it is beautifully written and the narrator brings through the emotion of the piece incredibly well.

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Freedom
  • 06-26-16

recommended to anyone

This is a story that takes your attention full wholely.
Listen to it, it's very captivating

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-10-16

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Maggiestampa
  • 04-11-16

A short but big story through the eyes of a child.

I thoroughly loved it and would like to read more by this author. It's an interesting interpretation of the way the world could go in the future.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Rebecca
  • 08-03-15

Fantastic

A terrific short story that didn't faultier at any point. Grove was great to listen to and portrayed the naivety of Honeywells's Lalla fantastically.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Vicki
  • 07-07-15

Great!

I would definitely be up for more from this author and this narrator is good too.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Liz
  • 06-07-15

a great listen

love the story love the narration a very thought provoking piece I would highly recommend

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Bec
  • 05-10-15

Intrigued

I listened to this fully aware that it is a short prequel to a full length sequel.
With this in mind, I found this book enjoyable and intriguing. I will likely read the sequel.