Individual, gripping new perspective

I have never read or listened to anything quite like this book, in which insights into the underworld of London estates and drug rings are presented with immense impact but also warmth and humour.

The device of the first-person narrator is crucial - a young black Londoner on trial for murder, asserting that he has been caught up in a world of violence solely to protect the girlfriend he loves. We see the naivety and, sometimes, the stupidity of the accused but that is more than counterbalanced by his emotion and the passion of his speech to the jury. (Only 4 stars for the story as personally, I thought there was one detour too many - but it's tremendously compelling and had me listening at every available moment.)

Above all, this is a book to enjoy in its audio format. The voice of Adam Deacon is perfect for it, and he delivers a superb performance which adds hugely to the book's impact.

I have largely given up writing customer reviews for lack of time, but this one should be an exception. Excellent.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Verdict

A good listen, but what was the verdict ..........
Kept me listening right to the end but disappointed at the ending

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Disappointing

The performance was good, a real feel for the life on Londons mean Streets. The whole story was ruined for me by the very last word.....
Just two syllables made me think I've just wasted the last few hours.....
Terrible ending......

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Food for thought

What made the experience of listening to You Don't Know Me the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed this audiobook, its an interesting concept ie 'walk a mile in my shoes' sort of idea. It certainly gave me an idea of how it must be for young black men living in tough urban areas. I thought at first the street talk narration would grate a bit but it grew on me... 'Innit!!, It was perfectly read by Adam Deacon.Its a very clever book and certainly made me rethink my premisconceptions about young men who get involved with drugs and gangs! What would this young man have done with his life had he been brought up in a different environment. I really liked the character, he seemed a genuine and caring sort of boy but maybe I was just taken in by his story?Without giving anything away I was surprised by the ending and this was my least enjoyable part of the story!

Which character – as performed by Adam Deacon – was your favourite?

I rather took to his Mum and sister Bless.

Any additional comments?

The ending......hmmmmm!!!!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

keep an open mind & enjoy

What did you like most about You Don't Know Me?

The innocents of the defendant in the book and the narrator. Despite not being fully familiar with young people's way of expressing themselves, I quickly got used to the narration and felt that it added masses to my enjoyment and the realism. It was good too to be left to decide the verdict for yourself.

Which character – as performed by Adam Deacon – was your favourite?

Definitely the defendant

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very Good 👍

What a great story, giving you the chance to see thing's from the other side,very well narrated, putting lots of suspence and feeling into the characters, bit wicked of the author to leave us hanging at the end

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good story telling

Good tale with perfect narration, that really took you inside what it must be like to grow up on the edge of drug gang culture. However, the setting was too far fetched for me...no judge would have allowed what went on in his court....and the ending 😳 🙄 🤔

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Stunning

A young Nigerian boy is on trial for murder. Wanting to tell the jury the whole story from his point of view, he sacks his Q.C. and makes his own closing speech. Over the course of ten days, we hear of his life trying to avoid being drawn into the fringes of the drug gangs, his love for his girlfriend (?Kaira) and his increasing desperation as he becomes enmeshed in a life he never wanted.
This is one of the best narrations I have ever listened to.
Highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

great story

This story had me gripped from the start. The narrator draws you in to his world and you can't leave even after the book is finished.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Clever storytelling, brilliantly read

After you've suspended your disbelief that a court would allow a defendant to speak like this, for as long as he does, as a closing statement, you can enjoy a great story, told in the credible vernacular of the accused, the mystery unfolding cleverly. And all the while, a perfect illustration emerges of the barriers and glass ceilings that continue to exist for large swathes of people in Britain.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!