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The Madonna of Bolton
- Narrated by: Simon Vause
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
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The Madonna of Bolton
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Summary
Charlie Matthews’ love story begins in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Di. Remembering the Green Cross Code and getting out of football are the most important things in his life until Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called "Lucky Star"....
On his ninth birthday, Charlie discovers Madonna and falls in love. His obsession sees him through some tough times in life: being persecuted at school, fitting in at a posh university, a glamorous career in London, finding boyfriends, getting rid of boyfriends, and family heartbreak. Madonna’s music and videos inspire him, and her fierce determination to succeed gives him the confidence to do the same. Ultimately, though, he must learn to let go of his idol and find his own voice.
Charlie’s story is Billy Elliot meets Beautiful Thing wearing a conical bra - a story for anyone who ever sang their heart out, looked for love and dreamed of more.... The Madonna of Bolton will make you laugh, cry and Get into the Groove. It’s a book to Cherish and a Ray of Light, and it even has a little Hanky Panky.
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 29-05-23
The Narrator is dreadful
Nearly didn't finish this book, the narrator is dreadful, almost unlistenable. The man really doesn't know how to narrate, uses horrible voices, which are badly paced, speeded up in places that aren't necessary, flat with no inflection in others and generally don't do the story line merit.
The story itself is enjoyable, but really do yourself a favour and read the actual book.
Matt Cain, if you read your reviews, insist that Audible scrap this version and have another person read this for you. This does not do your writing justice.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Loquacious
- 02-07-19
Absolutely Gorgeous
This story will warm your heart. Especially if you enjoy the 70s 80s nostalgia... and are gay... and love madonna...
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Zoe1978
- 05-06-24
Nostalgic sweetness. Terrible narration.
As a huge Madonna fan, the references were great. Not a hugely compelling story but ‘nice’ coming of age / finding yourself piece. Wish I’d read it rather than listened though. Narration was insulting. Awful intonation, cliched and offensive voices, particularly of gay people. IRidiculously camp and whispering. Ruined it for me but glad I persevered. Read it… don’t listen to it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Weliza
- 01-10-20
Feel good book
A good coming of age book about a young man growing up gay in Bolton. Madonna gets him through a turbulent adolescence and later, at Cambridge uni, he comes into his own.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR MARK J PEDDER
- 08-02-20
Love this book
There's no question that this book is beautifully and honestly written from the heart. Every inch of this I can relate to, echoing my own life and my obsession with Madonna. Equally my own battle of identifying who I am and facing truth seems to be a mirror image of the bulk of this book. Have now read it several times.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard/Samantha Whitehead
- 04-09-21
Outrageously funny!
sensitive, descriptive and outrageously funny. A great dose of nostalgia for anyone brought up in the 70s and 80s, and as a girl from Bolton this book was just perfect.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 05-10-24
Kept improving
An honest and insightful account of the pressures of accepting yourself. I enjoyed it more as it continued. The Madonna song theme sometimes seemed an unnecessary device, the plot is very well structured and well written with believable characters.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Liam Curran
- 16-07-18
Blast from the past
Really enjoyed the story. Brought back a lot of memories . Some sad parts but left me feeling happy. I look forward to more from the author.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-08-18
Oh no.
Couldn't finish it. Made me cross! Spiffing narration but holy guacamole....couldn't love the main character.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fleweyactually
- 27-04-23
Relatable, Funny, Amazing!
Im a little late to the party with this book, but I’m so
Glad I came! This book was so relatable as a queer person, that I think Matt has captured the experiences of many queer people, growing up
In the 80’s and 90’s.
I loved the references to pop culture throughout the decades, and was particularly moved with the chapter ‘Oh Father’, for many reasons!
Read / listen this book!! :))) xx
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