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The Second Sleep

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The Second Sleep

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Chosen as a Book of the Year by The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian, Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, and Express

WHAT IF YOUR FUTURE LIES IN THE PAST?
_____________________________________
'One word: wonderful. Two words: compulsive reading. Three words: buy it tomorrow. Four words: tonight, if possible.' STEPHEN KING
'A thoroughly absorbing, page-turning narrative.' SUNDAY TIMES
'Genuinely thrilling.' DAILY TELEGRAPH
_____________________________________
Dusk is gathering
as a young priest, Christopher Fairfax, rides across a silent land.

It's a crime to be out after dark, and Fairfax knows he must arrive at his destination - a remote village in the wilds of Exmoor - before night falls and curfew is imposed.

He's lost and he's becoming anxious as he slowly picks his way across a countryside strewn with the ancient artefacts of a civilisation that seems to have ended in cataclysm.

What Fairfax cannot know is that, in the days and weeks to come, everything he believes in will be tested to destruction, as he uncovers a secret that is as dangerous as it is terrifying ...
_____________________________________
'[Harris] takes us on a thrilling ride while serving up serious food for thought.' SUNDAY EXPRESS

'A truly surprising future-history thriller. Fabulous, really.' EVENING STANDARD

'The book's real power lies in its between-the-lines warning that our embrace of the internet represents some kind of sleepwalk into oblivion. It's a provocative, tub-thumping sci-fi of which H. G. Wells might have been proud.' DAILY MAIL

'Harris' latest work intelligently warps historical fiction and tackles issues of religion, science and the apocalypse in the process. As he flexes his imagination, you will be left pondering as often as you are page-turning.' HERALD

'A brilliantly imaginative thriller' READER'S DIGEST

©2019 Robert Harris (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Exciting

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All stars
Most relevant  
Whatever this author chooses as a subject it is invariably a well-researched and always a gripping read. The denouement seemed a little rushed however, with an almost deus ex machina finish.

Typical Harris- a well-researched page turner

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I haven't read any Robert Harris before but was attracted by the premise. The story is okay but very very thin once you get away from the central deceit. There is little or nothing in the way of sub plot and my instincts are it would made a cracking short story or novella but there isn't enough meat one the bones to stretch to a full novel. A reasonable yarn but lacking in depth and any real sense of satisfaction or resolution.

This would have made a great short story

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I liked the folk horror setting and early twist, and the story is very well read by the narrator Roy McMillan. However the story itself plods and meanders, and doesn't go in the direction I wanted it to. But there is a good sense of mystery for most of it. It's a nice way to pass 9 hours.

Well written, well read

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The book started well enough, and there was an interesting twist, but from the second half on it felt very laboured with a weak love story to prop up the main story. The ending when it came felt like the author had written his contracted number of words and put down his pen.

Not inspired

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really good audio performance but a trite story line with a way to much descriptive text.

week story great audio performance

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Another great story from Robert Harris. With many interesting twists and turns in this visionary post apocalyptic story.

Many interesting twists and turns

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The audio performance is excellent, one of the best I've heard, the story is a very interesting and is a mix of Bernard Cornwell meets Mrs maple meets Orwell. I hope there is a sequel as the ending was a little disappointing. But we'll worth my time very good

great concept

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As a massive fan of Canticle for Leboiwitz, the idea of a book about post apocalyptic priests preserving the lost knowledge of the current world is not new. However the second sleep is a smaller, more human, and more beautifully written story, that could have taken place in the Canticle universe, or not. A fantastic book and well worth your credit.

A beautiful complex post apocalyptic thriller

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The speaker exceptional as Robert Harris' talent to twist prospective of history in a stunning way.

Great listening!

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Liked the premise of the fall of civilisation. The story ( which had excellent narration) for me personally could have had a more in-depth information how it all occurred. It gave tantalising teasers but never really followed up. Somewhat of a shame, however, the premise did seem to make up for it. Would buy more from same author and narrator.

Interesting premise

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