Turn Up for the Book

By: Julia Franklin

Narrated by: Julia Franklin

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is a debut novel from actress and audiobook reader Julia Franklin. ‘I’ve read somewhere between 300 and 400 novels as audiobooks over the last 25 years,’ she says, ‘so I thought it was time to have a go at a novel of my own.’ The result is Turn Up for the Book, a romantic comedy that begins with the breakup, one Christmas, of a marriage.

Poor Viv has begun to look like the sofa she sits on most of the time. No wonder her unfaithful husband, Clive, is leaving her for a glamorous supermodel. But over the next 12 months, she will find that books and friendship will move her to a different kind of sofa altogether. Set against a background of publishing, food, and drink, oh yes, and maybe murder, Turn Up for the Book is a lovely lighthearted companion to warm you on dark winter evenings.

©2011 Julia Franklin (P)2011 Books Are Loud

A delightful debut!

Viv's husband has left her for the seductive and beautiful Ursula and she is trying to cope with her two children, her job in the local bookshop, her weight and her general depression. Her friend Ruth was in the same position several years earlier and with her help Viv tries to improve her lot. How she manages forms the basis of a very funny and yet sympathetic story. We meet the unfaithful husbands, Clive and Keith, Viv's employer Irene (one of the best monstrous creations in romantic fiction) and learn to hate Ursula! Julia Franklin has written a super debut novel and she reads it with her usual charm and ability. I hope that this is only her first book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hilarious

Great fun, we've all met many of these lovable, strange and ghastly characters. Absolutely loved Julia's wonderful range of voices, the way she manages to keep them all separate from each other is remarkable. Hurry, please, with another story in a similar vein.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A great debut

Julia Franklin's debut novel was also my debut audible book experience which I downloaded to my iPhone. I loved every minute of it and Julia's narration was superb, making the characters come alive. I shall certainly look out for more audible books - absolutely loved it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

easy listening

Julia Franklin is an exceptionally experienced narrator and as an author she doesn't disappoint either. This is well crafted, thoughtful and spiced throughout with gentle humour. I did find the ending a little sudden but, in retrospect, put this down to disappointment at not getting more. Too many books go on far too long, tying up every possibe loose end and leaving nothing to the listener's imagination, so well done Julia for knowing when to stop.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

WHAT A FABULOUS TURN UP.

Julia made me laugh and cry. I loved Viv from the first word, which was beautifully read throughout.
This is a very smart story..witty...and delightful in every way. The characters were so well woven into their situations. Everyone will thoroughly connect with someone. I am going to listen to it again and again. Thank you Ms.Fabulous Franklin. Watch out book lovers here comes a very clever cookie.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Perfectly pitched

Light, funny, touching without making you cry. Also, really well read (I think 'acted' is a better word), a narrator who can do good female and male voices. It starts really simply and then she adds layers of plot and characters, yet it never feels disjointed or heavy. Easy-going often turns out to mean badly written. Not in this case. This is easy - but it's also well written, brilliantly read, and clever.

Great Entertainment!

An absorbing and entertaining story: funny in some parts with touches of poignancy in others. A great light that will have you smiling.