After a week off last week, I’m linking up again with Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea who hosts a post every Tuesday for people to share the first chapter / paragraph of the book they are reading, or thinking of reading soon. I really enjoy these tasters when I read them on other blogs so wanted to join in.
As I’m about to spend most of the next two days in the car and on motorways, I will be listening vs. reading this week. I’m going to try A Mother’s Story by Amanda Prowse.
Jessica has just had the wedding of her dreams, and now she’s setting up a new home with her lawyer husband Matthew. Even better – they are expecting a child.
As they paint the nursery and shop for babygros, she plans for the joy that motherhood will bring. But Jessica’s experience is far from joyous. Why isn’t she transformed by maternal feelings? Where is the all-consuming love she’s supposed to feel for her child?
No-one told her that being a mum was so lonely and terrifying. No-one told her you don’t always love your baby. Perhaps it’s best if Jessica keeps that dark secret to herself for now…
I have read another of Amanda Prowse’s books and really enjoyed it but I have a bit of a hit and miss relationship with audio fiction so I hope the narrator is good because that’s the make or break for me. Here’s how it starts…
There was a small camera winking at the duo as they waited to be let in. A woman half stood, raising her hand in recognition of Dr Boyd. She pressed a buzzer out of view and the door whirred open, admitting them to a large square hallway. The woman sat at a pale wood reception desk that curved round in an arc, with a large row of pigeonholes on the wall behind it. The decor was simple: mainly white walls, with brightly coloured accessories on the desk – red files, green pen pots – and a large yellow clock on the wall that ticked loudly. The place had the false gaiety of a children’s hospital.
What do you think – would you keep reading?
Emma
One Readers Thoughts 
Yes, I’d definitely keep reading. If I hadn’t read the blurb, I’d be wondering why they’re at a hospital and what is about to happen. Now I’m curious about whether or not Jessica learns to be a loving mother.
My Tuesday post features THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS.
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I’m with you on audio. In fact, I only listen now to things I’ve already read because I can’t separate the quality of the book from the quality of the reading in my head. So if I read this, it would be on paper. Or screen.
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I don’t really do audio books, but the premise of this is interesting so I vote yes to keep going!
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I like the premise and the opening … I’d keep reading. Hope the audio works for you. I love audiobooks and listen to dozens and dozens each year.
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Audios are hit and miss with me too. Not to mention it takes me forever and a day to get through one. I like the opening you shared, the description and the tone set. I’m probably more drawn to this story because of the subject matter. Having dealt with postpartum depression myself, it’s a subject I can relate to all too well. I will have to look for this one. It sounds like something I might really like. Thanks for sharing!
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They are one of those things I guess that you take to or don’t – I am not sure where I sit yet as I’ve only just started listening to them this year. It’s a really interesting book so far. I can’t tell where it’s going.
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I don’t do audio, but in a print version, I think I would enjoy this one. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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I’m thinking of switching to paper. Will give it today and see. It’s so good for the car though!
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I’ve been listening to a lot of audio books at work the past month or so and I agree that the narrator can really impact a story. Girl Who Reads
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It’s the having to concentrate. I find I slip if the voice doesn’t match the plot. The jury is out on this narrator but the story is good.
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Good luck with the audio. I have become such a fan. Don’t know what I did without it. This one sounds interesting. I’d be wanting to know if the story would turn darker or if there is a happy ending.
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It is quite good so far. I am struggling a bit with the audio and toying with moving to paper because I cannot tell where the story is going.
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I’d keep reading! I enjoy audio books.
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It is turning out to be quite good. I think there is an art to audio listening I haven’t quite mastered.
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So far, I have to say, so good!
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This one sounds interesting. I like audio, but don’t listen to a lot. Mostly in the car, on road trips with my DH and he would definitely not enjoy this one. But I would read it in print. I’ll look forward to you thoughts on it, when you are finished.
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I tend to do audio in the car too – it’s good to distract me from the boring meetings I’m heading to / from and a way to decompress. Tends to be non-fiction though.
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