The Trick to Time

By: Kit de Waal

Narrated by: Fiona Shaw

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Trick to Time by Kit de Waal, read by Fiona Shaw. 

Mona is a young Irish girl in the big city, with the thrill of a new job and a room of her own in a busy boardinghouse. On her first night out in 1970s Birmingham, she meets William, a charming Irish boy with an easy smile and an open face. They embark upon a passionate affair, a whirlwind marriage - before a sudden tragedy tears them apart. 

Decades later, Mona pieces together the memories of the years that separate them. But can she ever learn to love again? 

The Trick to Time is an unforgettable tale of grief, longing, and a love that lasts a lifetime.

©2018 Kit de Waal (P)2018 Penguin Audio

A precious book.

CAUTION for some listeners. Do make sure you enquire carefully to realize what it is about. You may not be ready for it, yet.
But I am very glad that a courageous writer has written , face on, about something that happens to many of us.
And I respect the writing of a truth and all the confrontations with reality all of us MUST eventually make, with kind, persistent help.. to keep going and to find purchase on the river bed of life.
Thank you.

My breathless admiration too for Fiona Shaw’s skill. I know she is a peerless actor from Becket to Potter but this reading is like Art.
Mind you, it was a bit confronting to be watching her amazing acting in “Killing Eve” at night and listening to her on Audible being people in such a remarkably different story. That’s a fine actor for you.

Go girls. Keep bringing us stories that swing the spotlight round to such utterly different points of view and drawing attention to ways of being that are never shown and acknowledging skills seldom appreciated.
And demonstrating to us all that you can, must, survive.

I didn't want it to end. Fabulous novel.

This book captivated me from the first few sentences right to the end. I really was sad when I finished listening and the story has stayed with me since.

The characters are wonderfully drawn out and they, and the story arc, are absolutely believable. The story takes place both in the present and at various times in the past, each episode in the past shedding light on some aspect of the story in the present.

This is both a love story and a study of grief and mental ill-health. The aching hole at the centre of the'heroine's' life is nicely resolved in the final section and I was totally surprised at the way in which this happened. Very clever plotting and beautiful prose.

Fiona Shaw's narration was masterful and I shall certainly seek out more of her work in future.

Wonderful

Easily one of the best books I have read this year. Simple yet powerful storytelling. I didn’t want it to end and neither will you (if you have any taste).

Worth persevering

Patchy, found the first half hard going- bit dull and saccharine and not helped by the narrator's dodgy English accents (I know she's a Great Actor but ...) and I took a break.

However I'm glad I went back to it because the second half is much better, harsher, absorbing and faster paced.

Some reviewers have mentioned a twist at the end but I didn't notice a twist so don't be disappointed by its absence.

Simply beautiful

Mesmerisingly beautiful. A heartbreaking tale that I couldn’t put down.

The reader is taken into Desdemona’s world and falls completely in love with this kind and gentle woman to whom life has dealt a cruel hand.

Amazing

So touching. So many familiar themes, so poignant reading them described through the eyes of another.

Such a well thought out tale of love

I loved this book and now going to buy it for others. I was too captivated from the beginning and felt there with the main character. Love the writing and the narration is superb!

Beautiful novel, I didn’t want it to end

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time. Very moving. Narration perfect. I’ll miss hearing about Mona.

Absolute perfect

Can’t believe I haven’t read any more of Kit de Waal’s books since My Name is Leon. This is just as good, better even. It’s so good to read a book where there is no real villain (although your man was a bit creepy), just love, kindness, and yes, loss and heartbreak. It’s a beautiful story, entirely human, and gripping too. I was so invested in all these characters. I’m now a big fan of this author and will be reading many more of her books.

Another excellent book by Kit De Waal

I listened to this via audible narrated by Fiona Shaw. It was a beautifully written story with Fiona Shaw’s narration adding further charm. Kit De Waal’s writing is a pure delight and gets right to the depth of the characters giving the reader an opportunity to imagine the characters in the mind’s eye and ‘feel’ the emotions off the page. Excellent. I have also read My Name Is Leon by the same author …. Another great read.

emotional ending

really enjoyed the book, very sad in places. the end actually bought me to tears. would recommend.