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A Possible Life
A Possible Life: A Novel in Five Love Stories | Sebastian Faulks
From the critically acclaimed, bestselling author of Birdsong, new fiction about love and warfive transporting stories and five unforgettable lives, linked across centuries. In Second World War Poland, a young prisoner closes his eyes and pictures going to bat on a sunlit English cricket ground. Across the yard of a Victorian poorhouse, a man is too ashamed to acknowledge the son he gave away. In a 19th-century French village, an old servant understandssuddenly and with awethe meaning of the Bible story her master is reading to her. On a summer evening in the Catskills in 1971, a skinny girl steps out of a Chevy with a guitar and with a song that will send shivers through her listeners' skulls. A few years from now, in Italy, a gifted scientist discovers links between time and the human brain and between her lover's novel and his life. Throughout the five masterpieces of fiction that make up A Possible Life, exquisitely drawn and unforgettable characters risk their bodies, hearts and minds in pursuit of the manna of human connection. Between soldier and lover, parent and child, servant and master, and artist and muse, important pleasures and pains are born of love, separations and missed opportunities. These interactionswhether successful or notalso affect the long trajectories of characters' lives. Provocative and profound, Sebastian Faulks's dazzling new novel journeys across continents and centuries not only to entertain with superb old-fashioned storytelling but to show that occasions of understanding between humans are the one thing that defines usand that those moments, however fluid, are the one thing that endures.
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emmasm08
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Described as a novel , I would say it‘s a book of short stories - the link that binds them is subtle - but each of the 5 stories is beautifully written and a pleasure to read . Really enjoyed it .

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Anna40
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Each story focuses on 1 life.A teacher in WW2 England becomes a spy in occupied France.A boy who grows up in a work house in the late 1800s abandoned by his parents makes something of his life.Set in the future a girl&her adoptive brother form an almost unbreakable bond.Set in France early 1800s a servant‘s life is linked with the family who employs her.A love story set in counter culture music scene.Themes are loss of self,abandonment,betrayal.

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TrishB
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So was really enjoying this - looking forward to following through the story! Then it became another story....hadn‘t realised it was short stories (teach me to read the blurb better!) First story was great and lovely writing....not in mood for another short story or four though, will come back to when I have a few minutes to fill!

Cathythoughts Oh no ! I don‘t know this book. Not a fan of short stories either. Lovely writer though 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts the writing was beautiful and I was really into the story!! 6y
KB253 @TrishB are the stories linked? 6y
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TrishB @KB253 not sure! Didn‘t carry on. 6y
RidgewayGirl I have this on the tbr and I‘ll move it up the stack. I love short stories. 6y
TrishB @RidgewayGirl the writing was wonderful if you like short stories you‘ll probably appreciate even more!! 6y
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TrishB
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In the best tradition of @Cinfhen and @miralunasbooknook I made a donation in the charity shop and got these. The Faulks are thanks to @Cathythoughts and a colleague in work has been encouraging me to read some Patrick Gale!!

MrsMalaprop Oh yes, haven‘t read a Patrick Gale for years. Used to love him. 6y
Kalalalatja For a second, I thought the one in the middle was a Danish book, because the title is the Danish word for Angels City 😄 6y
Cathythoughts Oh I hope you like Faulks!! 🤞🏻. I‘m putting Patrick Gale on my TBR !!! Xxx 6y
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TrishB @Kalalalatja how cool 👍🏻 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts I‘m dying to read now but I agreed the kids are picking them this month so don‘t count on it! There are a lot of Patrick Gale books and I‘d never heard of him! I downloaded one on my kindle and saw this one today!! 💜 6y
TrishB @MrsMalaprop I hadn‘t even heard of him! 6y
Cinfhen It feels good to give, right @TrishB 😂😘 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen absolutely 😁 it‘s always the same young woman that serves me (cos it‘s usually Saturday afternoon!) and she always gives me an Oxfam bookmark with any purchases- in case I can‘t find one at home she says 😂 I hate to tell her I have hundreds and just say thank you!! 6y
CarolynM @MrsMalaprop It's been a while since I read Patrick Gale too, but I really enjoyed his books. 6y
Ardachy Sebastian Faulks is one of my favourite authors. 6y
TrishB @Ardachy I‘m obviously late to the party! Will enjoy catching up. 6y
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review
Hannah_11
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The short stories are so powerful and thought provoking. I feel as if I need to re read it now to fully appreciate the story as a whole. A beautiful holiday read #aPossibleLife #SevastianFaulks #holiday #read #bruges #traveling #bookworm

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Hannah_11
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Today I started reading this in a Paris train station. I was so moved. The book is written in short stories which makes it easy to read when I get a spare hour during my travels. I'm loving it so far #SebastianFaulks #aPossibleLife #book #travels

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JillR
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This book was an unexpected surprise! It's actually 5 short stories in one novel, which I didn't realise. I've never enjoyed short stories but this just hooked me in. The writing was beautiful, and I fell in love with the final story in particular, so much so I just nearly missed my stop on the train then ran home & finished it without taking my coat off! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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JillR
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I bailed on the last Faulks I started - A Week in December - but this has got off to a good start...