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Gabriel's Moon

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Gabriel's Moon

By: William Boyd
Narrated by: George Blagden
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In his most exhilarating novel yet, Britain’s greatest storyteller transports you from the vibrant streets of sixties London to the sun-soaked cobbles of Cadiz and the frosty squares of Warsaw, as an accidental spy is drawn into the shadows of espionage and obsession.


Gabriel Dax is a young man haunted by the memories of a tragedy: every night, when sleep finally comes, he dreams about his childhood home in flames. His days are spent on the move as an acclaimed travel writer, capturing the changing landscapes in the grip of the Cold War. When he’s offered the chance to interview a political figure, his ambition leads him unwittingly into a web of duplicities and betrayals.

As Gabriel’s reluctant initiation takes hold, he is drawn deeper into the shadows. Falling under the spell of Faith Green, an enigmatic and ruthless MI6 handler, he becomes ‘her spy’, unable to resist her demands. But amid the peril, paranoia and passion consuming Gabriel’s new covert life, it will be the revelations closer to home that change the rest of his story. . .

'Sheer, truly brilliant storytelling. He has probably written more classic books than any of his contemporaries’ Daily Telegraph

‘If it’s true escapism you’re after, William Boyd can always be relied upon to transport the reader from reality’ Vogue

'A master storyteller'
Observer

©2024 William Boyd (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Espionage Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction
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What listeners say about Gabriel's Moon

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Intriguing.

Beautifully crafted with intriguing twists and turns. William Boyd’s choice of language and descriptions of both people and settings is superb.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Intriguing

Very very clever. Characters unusually drawn and juxtaposed. Plot so intricate it's breathtaking. The subtle evocation of the '60's a delight. George Blagden the perfect narrator for the text, bringing the different characters into sharp relief with accomplished ease. And yet...
If I'm truly honest, I longed for the flair of a richer voice to notch the whole scenario up an octave. Heighten the tension, deepen the feeling and spike the drama.
But it is a William Boyd and a George Blagden and so not to be missed. And perfect as it is.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Opportunity squandered

The narration was too monotonal. I felt that it didn’t make enough of the intrigue of the story. It rushed when a little slowing of momentum would have raised the awkwardness of the situation.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Someone’s been reading Dostoevsky

A great story read superbly well. Is it fair to say that the protagonist is brilliantly evoked by writer and reader but that some of the other characters, especially the women, seem thinner? I’m not sure. Could the same point be made of Dostoevsky? I’ll have to listen again ….

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

As always, William Boyd’s book are strong emotional tales

Good main character, but overall he is a bit shallow and naive. Possible 2nd book?

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Boyd belongs

Boyd provides a welcome world of satisfying language, rhythm, and escape. I could analyse but prefer to relax and enjoy each book as they arrive.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Another brilliant book by William Boyd, over much too soon! I hear there will be a sequel though….

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Eminently readable

Loved the first half but it became too boys own Cold War spyupmamship for me. Shame!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not Boyd’s greatest work

The plot rambles, which can sometimes be a delightful feature in Boyd’s other novels which I read avidly.
Gabriel, the first person narrator, is a writer of travel books. His ghastly florid style of writing is wittily evoked. There are other recurring ticks which become increasingly irritating. I didn’t warm to the characters.
The endless references to every drink and cigarette consumed become predictable and repetitive and there’s an intrusive mouse that keeps appearing.
The book kept me listening. There were some surprises but this was not up to the usual high standard.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not Boyd’s best

I usually love Boyd novels but something felt flat about this one, in spite of the glowing reviews I’d read. I didn’t find Gabriel convincing and the plot was too tangential; you are bounced around locations and the story skirts major historical events but in too superficial a way to enable you to get properly stuck in.

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