• Troubles

  • By: J. G. Farrell
  • Narrated by: Kevin Hely
  • Length: 15 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (85 ratings)

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Troubles  By  cover art

Troubles

By: J. G. Farrell
Narrated by: Kevin Hely
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Publisher's summary

Winner of the 1970 Lost Man Booker prize in 2010. 

Major Brendan Archer travels to Ireland - to the Majestic Hotel and to the fiancée he acquired on a rash afternoon's leave three years ago. Despite her many letters, the lady herself proves elusive, and the Major's engagement is short-lived. But he is unable to detach himself from the alluring discomforts of the crumbling hotel. 

Ensconced in the dim and shabby splendour of the Palm Court, surrounded by gently decaying old ladies and proliferating cats, the Major passes the summer. So hypnotic are the faded charms of the Majestic, the Major is almost unaware of the gathering storm. But this is Ireland in 1919 - and the struggle for independence is about to explode with brutal force. 

©1993 J. G. Farrell (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

What listeners say about Troubles

Average customer ratings
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Absolutely delightful read

Historical content melded into a hilarious fictional story. The reader was superb too. Highly recommended.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

An extraordinary story read by a wonderful narrator. A biting satire of the decline of the British empire set in 1920’s Ireland during a period of unrest called the “Troubles”.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Like an Evelyn Waugh comedy till the end.

Reads like an Evelyn Waugh comedy set at an Irish resort from the end of WW 1 to Irish Independence then gets very dark.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

So,so. So, so bad.

None of the characters were likable, can’t think of one who wasn’t whiny. Cats were treated badly and murdered.

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  • Leonard Turton
  • 07-09-19

Extraordinary

Farrell is an astonishing writer and his trilogy of empire in India Ireland and Singapore... The Siege of Krishnapur, Troubles and The Singapore Grip... is breathtaking. I think that Troubles and Singapore Grip are superior to Krishnapur. The most devastatingly brilliant read is Singapore Grip. They will grab you entertain you make you laugh out loud and leave you shaken. Read all three and tell others.

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8 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • P Garbett
  • 04-13-23

OK

I got the allegory, but the story did not hold my interest so much.
.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Amir El Alem
  • 07-31-22

my experience

More than excellent narration
But enjoyment of novel requires knowledge of British Irish conflict

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • elizabeth adam
  • 06-23-22

Wrong Reader!

The reader is from the wrong nation and social class so that all the comedy in this novel falls flat.

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  • 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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  • colin mckenzie
  • 06-11-22

a meandering tale

This story is a beautifully written historical snapshot of the end of British rule in Ireland. It's rather slow and meandering with a number of minor characters, but it has a pleasant feel to it. the Irish narrator is good. Obviously his Irish accents are excellent, his upper class English ones not quite so good. But he does a good job overall

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • boo65
  • 02-28-22

Wonderful

I loved this story and narration. Just wonderful - every page made me smile but not the context within which it was set.

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  • Clare Ong
  • 08-24-20

Not to be missed

Awesome narration, such a great story,I almost felt that I was a fly on the wall

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1 person found this helpful