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Live Flesh

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Live Flesh

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Ian Holm
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About this listen

All his life, for almost as far back as he could remember, Victor had had a phobia. In prison, inevitably, he reflected on the grotesque way it had begun, about the panics and violent anger. He asked himself, too, why the child of happily married, middle-class parents should have needed to make motiveless and unreasoning attacks on women.

Holed up in that house with the girl, he had not meant to pull the trigger. It was panic. Panic, which came over him like a second skin, prickling him all over, crawling on him.... An attempted murder not only brings Victor Jenner face to face with himself, but also involves him in a strange and doomed triangular relationship.

©1986 Kingsmarkham Enterprises (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Crime Fiction Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Detective Exciting Mind-bending Scary

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All stars
Most relevant  

What made the experience of listening to Live Flesh the most enjoyable?

It was a pretty engrossing listen - interesting and dramatic. Rendell (as ever) brought the characters to life and the twisty plot really complemented the slightly drab suburban London background.

What other book might you compare Live Flesh to, and why?

Any thriller really - I note that Pedro Almodovar based his film, 'Live Flesh' on Rendell's book (although it was a pretty loose fit...) so it's clearly quality material.

What does Ian Holm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I don't recall ever reading the book, but Ian Holm's performance was excellent - especially whilst portraying the main character, Victor.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

There already is a film of this book!

Live Flesh

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Where do authors get the ideas from. And Ruth Rendell seem to be a barrel of ideas. This is a weird story and not an easy one to stomach as there is no way that the story can end well. There is only one outcome possible and a sigh of relief when it finally ended.

Sometimes I wonder

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I wasn’t sure, It didn’t seem like a typical Ruth Rendell. I came close to quitting a few times at the beginning but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did.

Great

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I enjoyed this because the author is exploring ways of getting the listener to empathize with the antagonist. Somewhat unsettling methinks. But it is Ruth Rendell afterall!

interesting take

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I really enjoyed Ian Holmes narration. It was quiet and measured carrying just enough menace. The plot showed off Ruth Rendell’s ability to keep the reader/listener hooked with a nice surprise at the end. Well worth a listen

Another great story.

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A terrific story, made all the more enjoyable of you have seen the Almodovar film: clever, twisty, compelling.

One of her best

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Brilliantly read/performed by Ian Holm ut storyline rather dour. The main character had so many flaws and the other characters, even though very well described, were not much better.

Okay.

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A bit of a weird story, quite difficult to read in parts. Quite different from I her books by this author

A bit strange

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Creepy! Seeing things from a different perspective - this one will stay with me. The end is fitting

Bit of a weird one but stick with it

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Ruth Rendell never ceases to amaze me. I could hardly stop listening and Ian Holm is a wonderful narrator
Highly recommend this

Marvellous

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