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  • A Sweet Obscurity

  • By: Patrick Gale
  • Narrated by: Patrick Gale
  • Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (34 ratings)
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A Sweet Obscurity cover art

A Sweet Obscurity

By: Patrick Gale
Narrated by: Patrick Gale
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Summary

Bittersweet and startling, A Sweet Obscurity is a novel of childhood, love and the consequences of how lives are lived.

Since her mother's death, nine-year-old Dido has been living with her eccentric aunt, acting as peacekeeper between Eliza, her estranged husband, Giles, and his girlfriend. They are each cruelly burdened in different ways. Chance draws them down to Cornwall, where a country idyll offers to lighten their urban cares. Eliza falls in love with local farmer Pearce, an event that causes the four adults to reassess their lives, with some painful and unforeseen consequences for adults and child alike.

©2003 Patrick Gale (P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic reviews

"Intriguing and impressive. A memorable study of a child forced cruelly, even tragically, to grow up too soon." (Sunday Times)

What listeners say about A Sweet Obscurity

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Delightful

I have read several of Patrick Gale's novels and I particularly enjoyed this one. It is captivating throughout and is beautifully read by the author.

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2 people found this helpful

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A really satisfying and involving listen

Packed with different characters, all convincing, and varied settings, urban, academic and far west Cornwall, this is one of Gale’s longer novels beautifully read by himself. I enjoyed it very much.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An enthralling story beautifully read

I’ve listened to several of Patrick Gale’s novels. They never disappoint, and a couple of times I’ve gone straight back to the beginning and listened again.
This is another enthralling story that held me until the last page.
It is beautifully read and performed by Patrick Gale.
Thank you

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Slow

Went on a little, glad I didn't have to read it or I would have given up. Not very exciting.

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