Download Hearts and Minds Audiobook (Unabridged)

" This is a contemporary novel about immigrants in London and they tend to be illegal immigrants too. As is the case with most illegal immigrants they do not particularly want to be immigrants. They would have preferred to have remained where they were, but they immigrate to survive. Even so, though, the very young women from eastern Europe might have been better off if they had stayed in eastern Europe. That is, there is a focus on young teenagers who thought they were signing up for jobs as waitresses or even models and found themselves forced into prostitution. They are pretty much slaves. They do not even get to keep the money that is paid for their services. That goes to their ostensible employers, actually owners. I am not sure about the credibility of the character named Job. He is an immigrant from Zimbabwe and one day he decides to spend some of the money he makes as a minicab operator by buying the services of a brothel. Once he is there, though, he immediately assesses the situation and the plight of the teenage women who work there and he declines the services he has already paid for and, instead, he vows to a Ukrainian sex slave to help her. He eventually succeeds in helping her too. Somehow I just have difficulty in suspending my disbelief for that. The novel as a whole is entertaining enough, though, and if you keep in mind that it is based on the reality of the international sex trade it is even a bit poignant. "

" An easy read with an accuracy of London life that many books fail to capture. "

" I enjoyed this and thought it was pretty good while I was reading it but it's about a month now since I read it and I'm struggling to remember any of the characters. None of them made much of an impression. "

" I enjoyed this book. It explores London's migrants , society and the difference between classes in London. There is mystery, good dialogue, interesting characters and a great setting. "

" Couldn't put it down. Recognised the places and even some of the personalities. Love the way people's lives touch others and link without realising. "

" This book was ok but it seemed to take me forever to read. Not sure why. I will blame christmas and I am sure I would have enjoyed it more if I could have got going faster. Will try more of hers when I see them "

" A bit too 'right on' at the moment, but some decent writing and great characters. It got a bit boring when all the goodies were immigrants and right-on lawyers (i.e. not earning anything for doing work for immigrants) and all the baddies were British etc. But overall a good, uplifting read.. "

" Really enjoyed this book and enjoyed the interlocking stories. Could have been stronger but enjoyable "

" Impressive. Finally, a contemporary novel set in London with credibility. "

" Interwoven stories of Londoners, in the same vein as A Vicious Circle but with difficult topics of people trafficking, terrorism and the education system. Characters are developed more, and in realistic ways, but some are a bit cliched - case in point the blinkered human rights lawyer. "

" I really enjoyed how the author intertwined the lives of seemingly unlikely and unrelated characters. An easy, engaging and entertaining read. "

" I loved Amanda Craig's writing even though some of the characters didn't ring true. I also was challenged by the disturbing undercurrent of the misuse of illegal immigrants. Overall though a really enjoyable read. "

" A very moving, and sobering book about Britain today. Beautiful prose too. "

" i love her unfussy prose but some of the repetition in the character motivations could have been edited out. definite feelings of yeah i get it already. "

" I enjoyed this book, though emphasises the brutality and sad state of the world, in this case London. "

" Relies a lot on the coincidence but still quite engrossing. "

" Set in London with a mixture of people whose lives are woven together in some way - a good read. Looks at immigration,asylum seekers and refugees - well writted. "

" I like the fact that this book moved quickly between the different characters and highlighted that they all had very different experiences of the same place. It has made me want to try more books by Amanda Craig "