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Someone at a Distance

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Someone at a Distance

By: Dorothy Whipple
Narrated by: Susan Wooldridge
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About this listen

Someone at a Distance was Dorothy Whipple’s last book, hailed by many as her best. The story charts the gradual breakdown of a marriage through the eyes of those involved. Whipple deftly and persuasively explores the minds of her characters, particularly the two women. This audio edition is read by Susan Wooldridge.

Ellen and Avery North share a stable and secure life. Everything is well looked after: their teenage children, their garden, and Avery’s elderly mother who lives nearby. In time, old Mrs North decides she is in need of a live-in companion, and Louise Lanier arrives after responding to a newspaper advert. When Louise sets out to seduce Avery for the fun of it, her behaviour threatens to destroy Ellen and Avery’s peaceful life together.

Someone at a Distance is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics including neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1953, this edition includes a preface by author Nina Bawden.

©2011 Dorothy Whipple (P)2024 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
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Dorothy Whipple writes excellent villains

This is my second book by Dorothy Whipple and while I have gotten very frustrated with characters and how there isn’t always justice, it’s very interesting how everything isn’t wrapped up in a perfect bow, but always hopeful.

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Enjoyed this book - bit old fashioned in the writing but an interesting representation of a marriage breakdown. The “other woman” is a manipulative sociopath but quite believable. I found the ending disappointing - it didn’t seem right that the children who very understandably take the mothers side aren’t encouraged to forgive the errant father when he comes to his senses and wants to come back. They and the mother are supposed to have “faith” which includes forgiveness and I didn’t find it credible that that the mother would allow the children to retain their grudge, justifiable though it was, without trying to encourage forgiveness.

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