The Versions of Us

De: Laura Barnett

Narrado por: Clare Corbett, Daniel Weyman

Some moments can change your life forever. Have you ever wondered, what if...?

A man is walking down a country lane. A woman, cycling towards him, swerves to avoid a dog. On that moment, their future hinges. There are three possible outcomes, three small decisions that could determine the rest of their life.

Eva and Jim are 19 and students at Cambridge when their paths first cross in 1958. And then there is David, Eva's then lover, an ambitious actor who loves Eva deeply. The Versions of Us follows the three different courses their lives could take following this first meeting. Lives filled with love, betrayal, ambition but through it all is a deep connection that endures whatever fate might throw at them.

The Versions of Us explores the idea that there are moments when our lives might have turned out differently, the tiny factors or decisions that could determine our fate, and the precarious nature of the foundations upon which we build our lives. It is also a story about the nature of love and how it grows, changes and evolves as we go through the vagaries of life.

©2015 Laura Barnett (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group

The characters are so annoying

Interesting that the book coves 3 versions of this couple from birth to death.

Upsetting is that it lakes forever and they seem to never be content let alone happy. Plus I felt frustrated while listening since the 3 story lines are rather confusing due to it all being the same people in slightly modified situations.

An ordinary life with a bit of hysterical drama.

However it might be me. All the sad carer stuff really triggered me and now it just especially close to home I would like to avoid such things in a novel which was supposed to be my escape from reality. Only finished the book due to a prior commitment to a bookclub.

On the other hand both voice actors were brilliant.

Forces individual reflection

Was hard to follow in parts (you need to give yourself hints to help e.g. The 3 looks like a pregnant woman so version 3 had the baby in it!). However once used to that, the story was moving, insightful and gripping. The closing chapters had my gut clenching many times. It makes one reflect on ones own life and how one would want their story told. An excellent novel that makes one want to discuss it with others.

Beautifully narrated and a great read

Life and relationships are complicated. What if you made a different decision? Where would life take you? This book is all about the impact of choice and the myriad of paths. What I loved is that this isn't about how love conquers all, its about how life shapes and impacts you. Really a tremendous read/listen.

Don't waste your Money

I had high expectations for this one: 3 different outcomes for different characters... It Felt promissing. Well, not quite. I have to say I didn't finish the book for lots of different reasons: I got halfway through the book and I didn't feel the connection to the characters. The ones I thought I was going to connect with, turned out to be a big disappointment. I wasted my precious time with this and each page further made me feel hopeless. "Is that all there is?" I couldn't go on. Maybe the other halfway of the book is good. Maybe It is just the same... what I know is that the only thing worthwhile in this audiobook was the narration, which was impecable!