Loquacious

Would you try another book written by Matt Haig or narrated by Mark Meadows?

No

What will your next listen be?

A fast moving exciting adventure with humor and hopefully some uplifting pieces within the story

Any additional comments?

I have just been reading the reviews for “How to Stop Time” and wonder why I feel so out of step with the majority of the comments. A literary critic would, no doubt, rave about this book, but for me the overuse of similes and metaphors turned this book into a turgid navel gazing collection of time jumping vignettes, so much thinking and remembering, not a lot of doing i.e. finding his daughter.

I found Tom to be a pathetic character who had never grown up, for a man that has lived for over 400 years he appears to have stopped thinking for himself and learnt nothing from his experiences – every small bit of happiness overshadowed by grief/despair and “woe is me”. I would have expected an individual over this length of time to have grown and matured learning from the different experiences and people met over the years and yet he hasn’t - 400 years living in fear – what a waste of time!

I have come to the possible conclusion that this book should be read rather than listened to and would probably appeal to those who enjoy reading Non Fiction or Mindfulness and Wellness books; discovering the hidden meaning within! As you can no doubt ascertain from my comments, I didn’t empathise with Tom, I found the book to be self-indulgent and depressing and spent a lot of time shouting “Get on with it”.

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50 people found this helpful

A new mythology is born

Matt Haig has created a new mythology, one that explores what it means to live in this world, yet still feel slightly apart from it.
Mark Meadows is as ever the perfect purveyor of Matt Haig's gentle wit.
Just sorry I couldn't listen to it in one sitting.

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2 people found this helpful

enjoyable but not estatic

It was not bad but not one for me a bit boring at times. Sorry.

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1 person found this helpful

A punt I adored

I bought this in the £3 birthday sale and I am so glad I did. I would have not found it searching my usual genres which is why daily deals and promotions are so great. I just adored this from the very first. A story I wanted to know the outcome of but also didn't want to end at the same time. The narrator is just absolutely superb. I was genuinely hooked. I laughed, had the odd tear and spoke aloud to my phone on a few occasions (always a good sign of engagement) Thank you audible, Matt Haig and Mark Meadows. These few hours listening took me elsewhere and were absolutely delightful.

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1 person found this helpful

Another deeply insightful book about 'us'

This is my second book by Matt Haig after 'The Humans' which I absolutely loved. Matt fills his books with such insightful wisdom through characters that are outside looking in. These characters are slightly alien to us and therefore have a unique perspective of the peculiarities of human nature. Through them, we learn about who we are so that we can embrace all the best parts of our shared human experience.
(and if that wasn't enough, Mark Meadow's is a brilliantly talented narrator who really captures the soul of these unique characters)

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1 person found this helpful

Uplifting, philosophical and hugely entertaining!

I enjoyed this so much, I have sent a copy if the physical book to my daughter and would recommend it to all! Read it or listen to it, it will make you think and remind you to appreciate the joy of life! Enjoy the moments and stop worrying about how many you're going to have!

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1 person found this helpful

Time....

I feel like just shared a positive experience with a new friend. I went into this book blind and leave if feeling contented, thoughtfilled and happy.

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how to stop time

I enjoyed it and wanted to get to the end. It didn't hook me like the midnight library though. I felt it was a little waffely of some of the same themes

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A masterclass in writing and narration

As a fan of Matt Haig, I picked this book up in the store confident of a great read. I have read The Humans and The Radleys, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. However this one, in my opinion, blows them both out the water.
An engrossing story throughout and unlike most stories, where you read on desperate to see what happens next or to see how it ends. With this book, I just didn't want it to end. A great insight into life's ups and downs and also our perspectives of them. It isn't the first time that Haig has wrote a narrative from a neutral viewpoint outside of normal folk, but it's refreshing and it points out things that we take for granted, but should cherish more than we probably do.
Also, to add to this, the narration is the best I have heard on audiobook. Credit where credit is due, Mark Meadows brings the story alive and really helps the world manifest in your imagination as a vivid story. Both the book and the narration get a 10/10 from me.
I have just finished listening to it, partially saddened that I will not be able to experience it for the first time again.

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Thought provoking

A well written and thought provoking read, not only did I thoroughly enjoy listening to this story, I felt like I learned a little history too, but the history that you aren’t taught in school.

Overall a great read 5stars

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