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A Far Cry from Kensington

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A Far Cry from Kensington

By: Muriel Spark
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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The narrator is one Mrs. Hawkins. She writes from Italy, a far cry from Kensington indeed, taking us back to her threadbare years in postwar London. As a young, rather fat war-widow she spent her days working for a crazy, almost bankrupt publisher; and her nights offering advice from her boarding-house in South Kensington. In both locations, our heroine soon uncovered difficulties: shady literary dealings; anonymous letters, blackmail, and even suicide. Whilst Mrs. Hawkins innocently, confidently put about setting things right, she could little imagine the ensuing mayhem and consequences. Now many decades older, thinner, and pleased with her situation in Italy, Mrs. Hawkins reflects on all those dark happenings, recounting how her own life changed forever.

Narrated by Juliet Stevenson, A Far Cry from Kensington shows Muriel Spark at the mature height of her powers. Rediscover this classic on the 100th anniversary of Muriel Spark's birth.

©1988 Muriel Spark (P)1988 Canongate Books Ltd Classics Funny Feel-Good
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Fantastic book, one of Spark’s best. Wonderfully narrated by Juliet Stevenson as the brilliant Mrs Hawkins.

One of Spark’s Best

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Excellent writing read by the best voice. The perfect storm of performance and prose.
The story has stood the test of time very well.

Just wonderful

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Best of the Muriel Spark books I’ve read. Always something a bit odd about her stories but thus one balances a gently humorous style with quite a gritty story - very good writer.

Very good Muriel Sparkread

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I liked the familiarity of this novel set in London in post war 50’s. Mrs Hawkins, literary editor and chief protagonist carries the plot, amusingly and consistently with a cast of other well delineated characters. It’s also someway of a social commentary and MS pokes fun at the stereotypes. Juliet Stevenson as usual, performs brilliantly.

Amusing social commentary

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I was intrigued to download this after hearing the author recommended on a books podcast. When I realised the narrator was Juliet Stevenson I wasted no time in purchasing this as I have previously been extremely impressed with her work. (The Paying Guests is a triumph). The book was evocative of a repressed post war period; a shabby London before the excitement of the 1960s. A slight but beautifully written story brought to life by the incomparable Juliet.

Another brilliant narration by Ms Stevenson

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