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Letters from Brenda
- Two Suitcases. 75 Lost Letters. One Mother.
- Narrated by: Emma Kennedy, Juliet Stevenson, Rafa Euba
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
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Letters from Brenda
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Summary
After her mother, Brenda, passed away and her father sold the family home, broadcaster and writer Emma Kennedy found herself floundering, unable to make peace with the complex, charismatic woman who had been her mum. And then they found the letters....
This heartbreakingly funny book about the impact of discovering lost letters is a celebration of correspondence; those lost acts of penned love, the vivid snapshots in time scattered back through a life.
It is also about a childhood shrouded in shame, the lies Brenda told her family, the madness that set in and ultimately, what it means to be a daughter and a mother. Finally, Emma allows herself to explore what she couldn't while she was growing up: the question of who her mother really was.
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What listeners say about Letters from Brenda
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 06-02-23
Fascinating
The story of Brenda is so interesting on many key. Emma’s narration is superbly. Loved this book!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Shetland gal
- 30-04-24
Brilliant, sad, poignant. Letters written with lo
As someone who knows a bit about mental health and it's fragility, I really feel for Emma and her family. The story that is told is about a brilliant woman who never had a chance to get help due to the time she was born in. The readers are fantastic, the story sad but enjoyable and I finished it with regret that there weren't pictures available to accompany this book - what did Brenda look like?
Thank you for sharing this story Emma.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- lynnect
- 20-05-22
Absolutely brilliant
The best book I’ve read in ages. Absolutely loved it. It made me laugh, cry and understand my sister who died last year a little more.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 02-07-22
I loved Letters From Brenda
I consumed it! Hilarious and touching. Beautifully read by Emma and Juliet ('what a treat!' as Brenda might say)
I'm off to read more of Emma's work....
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- Caroline Nat
- 29-07-22
Couldn't put it down.
I loved it. The performance was excellent and the story so good. I want Emma, the Author to know that her mum did really love her but obviously could not communicate that. I recognise many of the characteristics, and feel this has to be true. Someone like Brenda wouldn't bother ringing/visiting all the time or pushing her, if she didn't love her: she was far too selfish.
Thank you for sharing.
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- Carol Joice
- 03-08-22
A powerful, magnificent book
I haven’t stopped talking about this book. It’s funny, it’s touching, it’s enlightening, it’s difficult to put down. Emma Kennedy is such an inspiration who narrates this beautifully. Having Juliet Stevenson narrate the letters as Brenda is genius!
I was desperate to get to the end but also didn’t want it to finish.
Thank you, Emma, for sharing these letters and Brenda with us.
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- Mogsamindy
- 01-12-22
Very interesting listen
Emma Kennedy writes beautifully and openly about her mothers life story, it interspersed with letters written by Brenda which are themselves wonderfully crafted and a real insight into Brenda’s life. Juliet Stevenson is the perfect person to read Brenda’s letters!
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- Speedie
- 04-03-23
At times sad but a fabulous story full of love
When I began this audiobook, I thought, ‘Is this my mother, Emma, has written about?’ I connected so strongly with the complicated Mother/Daughter relationship, the bad behaviour and huge love that was there too. But this is not my story simply one I understand and relate to. Well done, Emma for finding comfort and a greater understanding through the research and writing of this fantastic book and thank you for sharing your wonderful Mum with us.
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- Keire
- 13-07-22
Brenda and gang
Book had me crying and laughing……. When mothers go we lose our 1st love even if i this love nearly destroyed us….thank you ❤️🏳️🌈❤️
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- dollyplum
- 21-04-24
Absolutely wonderful!
What a joy to read (or rather, listen) to this book, so very sad and funny in equal measure. Beautifully read and written. I will definitely read it again and recommend to my friends. Don't hesitate, spend that credit!
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