Elmet

By: Fiona Mozley

Narrated by: Gareth Bennett Ryan

In this atmospheric and profoundly moving debut, Cathy and Daniel live with their father, John, in the remote woods of Yorkshire, in a house the three of them built themselves. John is a gentle brute of a man, a former enforcer who fights for money when he has to, but who otherwise just wants to be left alone to raise his children. When a local landowner shows up on their doorstep, their precarious existence is threatened, and a series of actions is set in motion that can only end in violence. Steeped in the natural world of northern England, this is a lyrical commentary on the bonds of siblings and fatherhood, and on the meaning of community in the modern world. Elmet marks the launch of a major new voice in literary fiction.

©2017 Fiona Mozley (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Not my favorite genre

Very well well written but not a pleasant story. Cruelty, hatred, difficulties I know exists but reading about is not enjoyed.

heartwrenching. no fun end

difficult to listen to throughout but very well written. The ending is the hardest part

Haunting

This is an odd, haunting story that left me wondering about so many ineffable questions. The narration as well as the story's protagonist / narrator were compelling even though I always wanted to know more. I don't know if this story is for everyone, but it certainly left me pondering pockets of society outside of society. If you can live in the grey area and with never being fully satisfied (that's part the novel's appeal) then it's for you.

"Quiet explosion" indeed!

The cover blurb calls this "a quiet explosion of a book, exquisite and unforgettable," and that's exactly what this novel is. The writing is wonderful, the characters and story are very compelling, and the narration is as perfect as it gets. Highly recommended.

A Novel Seared into My Very Being

This is a story I’m not likely ever to forget. The story is poignant and made even more impactful by the narrator’s accent and voice. The writing is masterful and the prose beautiful.
There are a couple of plot inconsistencies or passages that strain one’s credulity. There is a minor inconsistency in the first-person narrator’s character development. But these flaws are not enough to keep this novel from a five-star rating.