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The Wishing Game

By: Meg Shaffer
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer, Rachel Jacobs
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Summary

'Part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving' Jodi Picoult

'Clever, dark, and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power childhood stories have over us long after we've grown up' V.E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

'A dreamy, inventive novel about how books can not only change lives but save them too' Sarah Addison Allen, author of Other Birds

One of the Washington Post's top ten feel-good novels of the year: a perfect gift for book lovers everywhere!

During her lonely childhood, Lucy Hart found solace in Jack Masterson's Clock Island books. Now a teacher's aide, she shares her love of reading with Christopher, a former student she'd give anything to adopt - if only she could afford it.

Just when Lucy is about to give up, the famously reclusive writer announces that he's finally written a new book, and he's holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island to win the only copy.

Winning the most sought-after book in the world could change Lucy and Christopher's lives. But with wily opponents, the books' distractingly handsome illustrator, and Jack Masterson himself to contend with, that won't be as easy as she wishes . . .

©2023 Meg Shaffer (P)2023 Penguin Random House Audio
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What listeners say about The Wishing Game

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So good!

This book! I could not even get to sleep. It captured and warmed my heart. Truly a good plot, funny, at times sad and exciting ❤️ Thank you for writing this. Keep writing 📝

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nice story, terrible accents

I liked the story, it was whimsical even if the child/teacher relationship was a little strange. The awful English accent really threw me though, the narrators American kept bleeding through. Bert from Mary Poppins kind of bad 😬

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Dreadful British accent

It was a good story but the British accent ruined it for me - I almost couldn’t bear to continue.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Story

I really loved this book, it’s sad & happy and beautiful, it really captures the imagination.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Loved the concept, but…

What on earth was going on with the British accent?! Part Dick van Dyke, part Aussie, part robot!! There were times when the narration flowed quite well, but other times it was SO stilted and strange, it sounded like AI.
The story kept it going - although totally incredible, it was sweet, whimsical, and very readable! The weird thing is that, in spite of all of the above, I did quite like it - credit to Meg Shaffer for that!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Accent was painful

Why fake accents and exaggerate voices? It took away from the overall book experience for me.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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‘British’ Accent is awful!

I’ve never left a review before but felt I have to warn people to avoid listening to this book. The story is ok, a bit cheesy but passable. The narration is distractingly bad, in particular her voice for Hugo which is supposed to be English but is just terrible.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nice story. Dodgy accent!

This was a nice story. I liked the rather whimsical premise and while the games and riddle aspects were a bit short and under developed, they were easy to listen to and interesting. The story kept me listening and moved at a reasonable pace. Lucy was quite a frustrating character - she should have been much more likeable and probably could have done with a good therapist.

The narration was mostly ok but the British accent was so bad it was quite off putting

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

eh…

i have to be honest, as a brit i could not understand a word the narrator said when they put on an accent for hugo which required me to keep the book at hand. the story was okay but some things didn’t sit right with me.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I kept trying but failed

Oh my, I could not get into this book. Chapter 22 and I’m giving up. I can’t ever get that part of my life back. First book in my life to give up on!

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