Listen to a sample
The Necessary Marriage
- Author
- Elisa Lodato
- Narrator
- Emma Powell
- Publisher
- Orion
- Publish Date
- 23 August 2018
- Run Time
- 9 hours 27 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
They have two children, Becca and Julia, and settle into suburban Surrey in the 1980s. But when Marion and Andrew, a couple whose passion frequently tips into violence, move in next door, Jane is forced to face up to feelings she didn't know she could have. And when Marion abandons her family to return home to Ireland, Jane steps in to help with the couple's two boys, setting in motion a series of events - all of which expose the push and pull within every family. As desire and loyalty are blurred, it becomes clear that nobody can escape the devastating impact of a family falling apart.
Read by Emma Powell
(p) Orion Publishing Group 2018
Critics Review
-
Elegant, subtle and tender, with a sharp sting in the tale
SUNDAY MIRROR
-
This is a novel which closely examines hidden lives and secret motives . . . I would call it Surrey Gothic: a superbly written suburban saga with an agreeable sense of creeping dread
DAILY MAIL
-
A captivating novel which gets to the core of lust, love and commitment. Lodato's writing is delicate, yet direct . . . an excellent examination of rash decisions and their consequences
IRISH TIMES
-
Beautifully written and with emotional intelligence pulsing through its veins, this portrait of marriage is a gripping read right up to its shocking end
Kate Hamer, author of THE GIRL IN THE RED COAT and THE DOLL FUNERAL
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
An intimate portrait of two couples that lays bare the truth of their marriages and the danger of relationships that stretch across neighbouring walls. Beautifully written, poignant and thrilling
Chloë Mayer, author of THE BOY MADE OF SNOW
-
I adored this beautifully told, immersive portrait of two marriages and the flaws and desires within . . . so gripping and original
Clare Empson, author of HIM
-
Gripping and atmospheric, this book will knock you sideways
Fiona Mitchell, author of THE MAID’S ROOM
-
Tragic and affecting, this novel absorbed me from the first page - and what an ending, wow!
Melanie Golding, author of LITTLE DARLINGS
-
I adored this tale of two very different marriages. Beautifully written, utterly compelling, and so tense, I was gripped from page one
Francesca Jakobi, author of BITTER
-
I hugely enjoyed this novel - a subtle and unexpected take on marriage and the paths we weave through life. A lovely evocation of time and place and a perfectly judged ending.
Joanne Sefton, author of IF THEY KNEW
-
Jane is 16 when she falls in love with her teacher, Leonard, but when they wed and start a family, she finds herself stifled in 1980s suburbia
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
-
A brilliant exploration of love, desire and desperation. I absolutely loved it!
Sally Bibb, author of THE STRENGTHS BOOK
-
There's a gritty intensity that quietly builds. What I thought was an excellent family drama turned into something completely different as it neared it's conclusion and I was taken by surprise in a very enjoyable way. Passionate, real, and at times heartbreaking. I would thoroughly recommend this book to you all.
BOOKISH CHAT
-
I was absolutely swept away by this novel and read it over one weekend, hardly putting it down at all. 1970s suburban England is brilliantly and expertly described and the incredible pull of the dangerous and the unknown for Jane was alluring and enticing. THE NECESSARY MARRIAGE is powerful and gripping. This author has a magical way with words that just engulf me. Her characters are perfectly formed, with flaws and foibles that just add to their strength and make them completely real for me. Both the story, and the author are strikingly brilliant, her ability to look at human relations is so astute. Wonderful, I loved every page and will recommend this highly.
RANDOM THINGS THROUGH MY LETTERBOX
-
This book explores the way families can both grow and crumble, how close bonds can last and others wither and how love and loss can truly shape people . . . Emotional. Compelling. Dazzling.
Ronnie Turner, author of LIES BETWEEN US
-
A beautifully written and thoughtful exploration of marriage, love, motherhood and identity. Elisa skilfully draws us into two marriages, seemingly completely different, but at the heart of both lies the same question. Is it better to settle for what we have, or to strive for what we believe we deserve, irrespective of the consequences? I loved it
ReadingSelfishly.blog
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Elisa Lodato
- Narrator
- Emma Powell
- Duration
- 9 hours 27 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 August 2018
- ISBN
- 9781409172314
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Orion
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Synopsis
Jane is sixteen when she first becomes aware of Leonard Campbell. He is a tall, gentle man with full lips and no ring on his left hand. He is her teacher. As he begins to shower her with attention, giving her novels to read and discuss, Jane's interest grows and slowly she falls in love. They overcome obstacles in the form of school bullies and Jane's parents, and it is only once married, that Jane realises she might have settled down too early and given up too much of herself in the process. They have two children, Becca and Julia, and settle into suburban Surrey in the 1980s. But when Marion and Andrew, a couple whose passion frequently tips into violence, move in next door, Jane is forced to face up to feelings she didn't know she could have. And when Marion abandons her family to return home to Ireland, Jane steps in to help with the couple's two boys, setting in motion a series of events - all of which expose the push and pull within every family. As desire and loyalty are blurred, it becomes clear that nobody can escape the devastating impact of a family falling apart.Read by Emma Powell(p) Orion Publishing Group 2018
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.