The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright - relationships and poetry 

Absolutely Milly - I find there is a huge difference between reading a book and listening to it being read. This can be quite a touchy subject to some readers who feel criticised if listening to audiobooks is not considered as actual reading. I know I have a deeper understanding and awareness of the style and lyricism of the language in a book and can experience an escapism not possible from audiobooks - the pictures in my head are better in my own reading voice. Because of this, I just can’t get on with audiobooks - I can just about listen to non-fiction (however it’s not ideal), but fiction has to be read in my opinion.

Exactly the same view. Wanted to love it…. I wonder why we never got Terry’s voice ???? She influenced her daughters, …Connie had a bit of a voice ( the letter) but Terry was silent . Why do you think ?

I agree, the wren, the wren was pretty meh. And, like you, I wanted to love it. I also enjoyed Carmel as a character more than Nell. Two years ago I read The Gathering and disliked the story and the characters so I'm not sure Anne Enright is an author I can appreciate.

It depends on the narration as to whether I can absorb the audio like I can the written. In regards to “this” book, I read it in print and have the same feelings. I rated it middle line 3 out of 5). Though the writing, at times, was beautiful, most was just okay. I did not “love” the poetry. The many bird references in Nell’s chapters made me want to look up bird varieties, but yeah, this one was “ok”

I read this a while ago because I do like this author but I didn’t love it , I was quite disappointed , I thought I was in the minority because there’s a lot of hype about it .

I think it is sometimes better to read than listen but I read this one ( not to the end though) and was not impressed- a big disappointment as I also “wanted” to like it.