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The Shock of the Light
- Author
- Lori Inglis Hall
- Narrator
- Susie Riddell
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 12 February 2026
- Run Time
- 11 hours 53 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Historical fiction, Second World War fiction, Narrative theme: coming of age, Narrative theme: sense of place, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Narrative theme: love / relationships, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: displacement, exile, migration
- Rating
- 5.0 (3 reviews)
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What to expect
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people
Cambridge, 1942
Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, only one of them comes home.
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people, THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHT is as exhilarating as it is heartbreaking.
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'This novel floored me. It is a rare thing and close to perfect… I urge you to pick up this book and read it!' ELIZABETH MACNEAL
'An astonishing page-turner that left me breathless… An essential addition to the wartime literature canon' HOLLY DAWSON
'A beautiful, clever debut, heart-wrenching and totally immersive… the very best example of historical fiction' CESCA MAJOR
'Spine-chilling and beautifully rendered… drew me in from the start' GEORGIA HUNTER
Critics Review
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'A wonderfully conceived and remarkably assured first novel, rich in emotion and with a truly compelling narrative drive. A brilliant success' WILLIAM BOYD
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'A powerful story, beautifully told. The writing is masterfully smooth and sure-footed, in complete command of its subject… The final chapter is extraordinary in its restraint and fearless simplicity. Such a fascinating and satisfying read' M.L. STEDMAN
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'Far-reaching, but also intimate and intensely personal in the loves, secrets, betrayals, and losses it examines… a quietly devastating story about lost time and lost futures that will stay with me' FLORENCE KNAPP
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'An exceptional storyteller, with the moral precision of Pat Barker and the skilful restraint of Irène Némirovsky… Exquisitely written and deeply human, this stunning novel affirms the courage and compassion that survive even in terrible darkness' CHRIS CLEAVE
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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'This novel floored me. It is a rare thing and close to perfect. It really does have it all: a profound and enthralling story that will grip even the most reluctant of readers, characters that feel as real as my friends or even myself, and the sort of beautiful, careful prose that you’ll want to read and reread. I finished this book in a state of awe and grief' ELIZABETH MACNEAL
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'Impressive debut' THE NEW YORK TIMES
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‘Devastating and masterfully told' INDEPENDENT
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'A wonderful debut that grips from the first page' THE TIMES
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'Left me in pieces… so beautifully written… already a firm favourite for one of my books of the year' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
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' A richly drawn story of family, courage, and the oft forgotten role of female operatives in history' STANDARD
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‘Far more realistic than many spy novels… takes in betrayal, duplicity, cover-ups and the effects of grief’ SPECTATOR
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'Moving and luminous, this is an exceptional debut' RED MAGAZINE
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‘It’s the emotional intensity – where love battles against tragedy and wrongdoing – that makes this so special’ DAILY MAIL
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
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5.0 5.0
A truly outstanding story — beautifully written, utterly gripping, and impossible to put down. I didn’t want it to end, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. This is a story that deserves to be told; everyone should understand what the SOEs did for their country.
dixoncla 2026-05-12 -
5.0 5.0
Stunning.
ClareR 2026-04-05 -
5.0 5.0
I've listened to some great audiobooks in the last year, but this is probably the best.
Very powerful story, beautifully written and well read.
I will not be surprised if this appears on some shortlists for 2026.
Thank youbluedocs 2026-02-28
Details
- Author
- Lori Inglis Hall
- Narrator
- Susie Riddell
- Duration
- 11 hours 53 minutes
- Release Date
- 12 February 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008701345
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Historical fiction, Second World War fiction, Narrative theme: coming of age, Narrative theme: sense of place, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Narrative theme: love / relationships, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: displacement, exile, migration
- Rating
- 5.0(3 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(3 reviews)
Synopsis
'A powerful story, beautifully told' ML STEDMAN 'Truly compelling' WILLIAM BOYD 'Exquisitely written and deeply human' CHRIS CLEAVE 'Far-reaching, but also intimate and intensely personal' FLORENCE KNAPP 'It was an honour to narrate this brilliant book, and the first time I've ever had to leave the booth to have a cry mid-session' SUSIE RIDDELL, actor A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people Cambridge, 1942 Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies. Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return. Two years later, only one of them comes home. A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people, THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHT is as exhilarating as it is heartbreaking. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- 'This novel floored me. It is a rare thing and close to perfect… I urge you to pick up this book and read it!' ELIZABETH MACNEAL 'An astonishing page-turner that left me breathless… An essential addition to the wartime literature canon' HOLLY DAWSON 'A beautiful, clever debut, heart-wrenching and totally immersive… the very best example of historical fiction' CESCA MAJOR 'Spine-chilling and beautifully rendered… drew me in from the start' GEORGIA HUNTER
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