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Coming Up for Air Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,030 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
George Bowling, an insurance salesman, hits middle age and feels impelled to "come up for air" from his life of quiet desperation. With seventeen pounds he has won at a race, he steals a vacation from his wife and his family and pays a visit to Lower Binfield, the village where he grew up, to fish for carp in a pool he remembers from thirty years before. But the pool is gone, Lower Binfield has changed beyond recognition, and the principal event of Bowling's holiday is an accidental bombing by the RAF.
Bowling's everyman life is also a sort of cavalcade of England from 1893 to 1938. Written when the clouds of World War II were already gathering, this story of Bowling's journey into his own and his country's past is told with humor, warmth, and nostalgia which will surprise and delight George Orwell's many readers.
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"When Ellie's mother dies, Ellie begins a journey to discover the past her mother had kept hidden. In doing so Ellie learns about a lost love, a difficult choice, and a warning for her own future. It's easy to give up your dreams and wishes for order and security, Ellie learns, so close to repeating her mother's mistakes. I liked this well written, thoughtful novel."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A charming, cheerful, minor masterpiece.”
— New York Times -
“By any standards, a work of rare vigor and imagination…Confirms one’s estimate of Mr. Orwell as a major prophet among the world’s still lively minority of thinking men.”
— New York Herald Tribune Book Review -
“Richard Brown reads Orwell’s tale clearly, rhythmically, and deliberately.”
— Library Journal -
“Offers a nostalgic, sincere appreciation of a way of life that can never be again, and will prove something new for his followers.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Coming Up for Air Listener Reviews
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" I won Coming Up for Air in a first-reads giveaway, this is a story about a daughter searching to find out who her mother was before she changed into the woman she grew up with. I can't describe it right now but the end of the book had such a personal affect on me. Perfect to snap me out of my funk. :) "
— Marie, 2/13/2014 -
" Received the Advance Readers' Edition through FirstReads. I wasn't sure what to expect from the summary, but found that I quickly fell in love with the main character and the entire story. "
— Maureen, 2/11/2014 -
" I would give this book 4-stars if the ending wasn't so nonsensical. It held my interest until the last couple of chapters. There was this great build but the ending is so flat. "
— Beth, 2/3/2014 -
" Loved this book. Read it in a day. "
— Christie, 1/21/2014 -
" Enjoyable read. Found the ending too trite. "
— Diane, 1/16/2014 -
" Won this in a giveaway. This was a decent read. "
— Christina, 1/15/2014 -
" I loved it - and I usually am not a big fan of contemporary fiction. "
— Nancy, 1/4/2014 -
" Makes me want to visit Alabama and experience a Jubilee! "
— Marcia, 12/31/2013 -
" This is a story about marriage, motherhood, love and a Southern woman's journey into truth. "
— Renie, 11/24/2013 -
" that was the longest 281 pages ever....ugh "
— Christine, 11/18/2013 -
" Although the story was a bit of a cliche, I really enjoyed her writing. Her thoughts on mother/daughter relationships and marriage were very interesting. Enjoyed the story. "
— Grace, 7/25/2013 -
" Amazing story. Patti Callahan Henry is a wonderful author. This is the third book of hers I have read and I love them all. It was a great story about finding the truth in your life and following not the easy path but the path your heart yearns to follow. I can't wait to read more of her books! "
— Jackie, 6/20/2013 -
" This is another good summer read that you want to zip through. I found it enjoyable but a bit sappy. However, it focuses on love, relationships, parental loss and understanding, as well as what is really important in life. "
— Vicki, 1/25/2013 -
" I really liked this story and the way Patti Henry told it. I liked the way she interwove Ellie's story with that of Ellie's mother, the essence of small town and old society, the insights into love, marriage, the human heart and soul. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. "
— Linda, 1/4/2013 -
" Heartwarming and emotional. Anybody who has ever loved and lost will enjoy the story of Ellie Calvin. This is an engrossing story of a daughter, wife and mother (Ellie) who is struggling to deal with the turmoil that is - life. "
— Erica, 11/29/2012 -
" When Ellie mother dies, Ellie wants to understand her mother's life which forces her to look at her own choices. An easy read that I really enjoyed. "
— Sharon, 8/21/2012 -
" Not my typical genre, but EXTREMELY well-written! Two thumbs up! The author really knows how to spin a yarn, although the "secret" in the story was obvious to me the moment I met the character it was about. "
— John, 6/28/2012
About George Orwell
George Orwell (1903–1950), the pen name of Eric Arthur Blaire, was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and literary critic. He is best known for his works of social criticism and opposition to totalitarianism. He also wrote nonfiction about his experiences in the working class and as a solder. His work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective “Orwellian,"describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices, has become part of the English language. In 2008, the London Times named him the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
About Richard Brown
Richard Brown (1937–2005) (a.k.a. Joseph Porter), was a former ballet dancer, actor, and popular audiobook narrator. Born in England, Richard came to the United States early in his career and performed with numerous regional ballet companies. After retiring from the ballet, he pursued a career in acting and recorded dozens of audiobooks for numerous publishers.