Listen to a sample
The Barracks
- Author
- John McGahern
- Narrator
- Marie Mullen
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Publish Date
- 22 September 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 30 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
The iconic debut novel by 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel) and 'the Irish novelist everyone should read' (Colm Tóibín).
Elizabeth Reegan, after years of freedom - and loneliness - marries into the enclosed Irish village of her upbringing. The children are not her own; her husband is straining to break free from the servile security of the police force; and her own life, threatened by illness, seems to be losing the last vestiges of its purpose. Moving between tragedy and savage comedy, desperation and joy, John McGahern's first novel is one of haunting power.
'One of the greatest Irish writers. 'Cillian Murphy
'Wise and compelling ... Elegiac and graceful.' David Mitchell
'Reminds one of the young Joyce ... McGahern is the real thing.'
Spectator
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- John McGahern
- Narrator
- Marie Mullen
- Duration
- 8 hours 30 minutes
- Release Date
- 22 September 2026
- ISBN
- 9780571400652
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Synopsis
The iconic debut novel by 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel) and 'the Irish novelist everyone should read' (Colm Tóibín). Elizabeth Reegan, after years of freedom - and loneliness - marries into the enclosed Irish village of her upbringing. The children are not her own; her husband is straining to break free from the servile security of the police force; and her own life, threatened by illness, seems to be losing the last vestiges of its purpose. Moving between tragedy and savage comedy, desperation and joy, John McGahern's first novel is one of haunting power. 'One of the greatest Irish writers. 'Cillian Murphy 'Wise and compelling ... Elegiac and graceful.' David Mitchell 'Reminds one of the young Joyce ... McGahern is the real thing.' Spectator
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.