Oh Dear Silvia

The gloriously heartwarming novel from the No. 1 bestselling author of Because of You

By: Dawn French

Narrated by: Beattie Edmondson, Celine Rosa Tan, Dawn French, Gareth Armstrong, Jack Lowden, James Fleet, James McArdle, Jane Collingwood, Llewella Gideon, Maggie Steed, Patrice Naiambana, Pauline McLynn, Ruby Turner

Dawn French, number one bestelling author of A Tiny Bit Marvellous and one of Britain's best loved comic writers, returns with Oh Dear Silvia, a darkly comic pageturner that will have you hanging on her every word.

Who is in Coma Suite Number 5?

A matchless lover? A supreme egotist? A selfless martyr? A bad mother? A cherished sister? A selfish wife?

All of these. For this is Silvia Shute who has always done exactly what she wants. Until now, when her life suddenly, shockingly stops.

Her past holds a dark and terrible secret, and now that she is unconscious in a hospital bed, her constant stream of visitors are set to uncover the mystery of her broken life. And she must lie there, victim of the beloveds, the borings, the babblings and the plain bonkers.

Like it or not, the truth is about to pay Silvia a visit. Again, and again and again...

Oh Dear Silvia is the brand new novel from one of Britain's most loved comic writers and the number one bestselling author of A Tiny Bit Marvellous.

Praise for Dawn French:

'Extremely funny' Sunday Times

'A fantastic slam-dunk pageturner' Mail on Sunday


Dawn French has been making people laugh for thirty years. On purpose. As a writer, comedian and actor, she has appeared in some of this country's most long running, cherished and celebrated shows, including French and Saunders, The Comic Strip Presents. . ., Murder Most Horrid, The Vicar of Dibley, Jam and Jerusalem, Lark Rise to Candleford, and more recently, Roger and Val Have Just Got In.

Her bestselling memoir, Dear Fatty, was published to critical acclaim in 2008. Her first novel, A Tiny Bit Marvellous, was also a great success, going straight to No.1.

Critic reviews

Beautifully observed. Makes you laugh on every page

Hilarious. Chortle-out-loud turns of phrase, razor-sharp observations

Fresh, extremely funny

Really enjoyable and highly recommended. Dawn French is a wonderful writer - witty, wise and poignant

A hilarious and compelling read

Oh Dear Dawn - what a pearler

What made the experience of listening to Oh Dear Silvia the most enjoyable?

This is an audible experience which moved me through the gambit of emotions from laughter and tears and everywhere in between. Brilliant concept in which the characters develop with each page. Thoroughly enjoyable! Great Job Dawn!

Favourite audio book so far...

Would you consider the audio edition of Oh Dear Silvia to be better than the print version?

Yes...we studied this book for our Book Club. I was the only one to listen to it...everyone else read it. The narrators bring each character to life in such a way that I felt I knew them all personally. At our Book Club meeting I played some of the audio so that my fellow readers could enjoy some of the characters for themselves.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration was wonderful.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

See above.

Who was the most memorable character of Oh Dear Silvia and why?

Each character was memorable in this book...no-one stood out more than another...they were all fabulous.

Intriguing twists and turns.

After a slow and slightly grating beginning, I really became involved in the story and all it's characters. The contrast between personalities and perspectives, was enjoyable and the plot was engaging if not completely flawless (some characters over do it at times). I enjoy much of Dawn French's work, this is no different, fun, thought provoking and a good listen.

Fantastic Book

If you could sum up Oh Dear Silvia in three words, what would they be?

As a ICU nurse I have witnessed these scenarios. I found it fascinating to imagine Silvia hearing all of this twisting quirky and yet familiar portrait of a family.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Who was the most memorable character of Oh Dear Silvia and why?

Jo

Any additional comments?

I loved it!!

lovely book

the only thing that bothered me was the voice of the sister. it made for a 3 in preformance. otherwise really enjoyed it. clever and sweet story. listen!