Literary Fiction Audiobooks | Literature

"SHORTLISTED FOR THE RSL ENCORE AWARD 2025 ‘Compelling and fine and rich, I devoured it' TESSA HADLEY 'Powerfully compelling' GUARDIAN ‘Unbelievably good' ELIZABETH DAY 'Complex and nuanced… the perfect definition of summer reading' LUCY CALDWELL 'Subtle, complex, ambitious' THE TIMES A Guardian Book of the Year 2024 A stunning new novel of power, desire and the secrets all families carry, from the acclaimed author of Nightingale, Marina Kemp. When fledgling writer Zoe arrives at the Sicilian holiday home of famed novelist Don Travers, she feels that she has made it. And yet as the week unfolds it is not Don but his children and unknowable wife, Lydia, who come to intrigue Zoe most. On the fringes, Don’s youngest, Nemony, watches as her older siblings begin to navigate the treacherous waters of the adult world. When her adored oldest sister makes a terrible mistake, the holiday ends suddenly, shattering the fragile balance of their parents’ marriage and the siblings’ lives. Many years later and in the wake of loss, the events of that summer continue to haunt. Nemony, now a lonely new mother herself, strikes up a chance friendship with Zoe. With her support, Nemony attempts to grapple with the casual damage enacted by her father. But as their relationship deepens, she is soon forced to question the true extent of Zoe’s fascination with the Travers family. Tracing their lives through Sicily, London and the old mining towns of Appalachia, Nemony must uncover the stories untold – about her implacable father, her troubled mother, and the siblings she might still do anything for. 'Kemp’s luminous prose and emotional sensitivity make for a novel rich in psychological insight’ OBSERVER 'Exquisitely written, subtle and transporting' SUSSIE ANIE, author of To Fill a Yellow House 'Ambitious, immersive' OLIVIA SUDJIC, author of Sympathy 'Unflinching, magnificent' KAREN POWELL, author of Fifteen Wild Decembers ‘A writer to watch’ FRANCIS SPUFFORD, author of Light Perpetual"

Marina Kemp (Author), Sally Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst

"Brought to you by Penguin. A love letter to Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst is a witty novel of manners and gossip, class and family, scandal and romance. 1841 The trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst is not Mrs Montgomery Hurst – as young Miss Amelia Ashpoint well knows. The real trouble is the polite society of Wickenshire, with its inescapable gossip about the arrival of the new Mrs Hurst and – whisper it – her three children from a previous marriage. In Wickenshire, nobody’s business is their own. And in this strange match, the local families sense scandal – and they will do anything to expose it. Meanwhile, Amelia Ashpoint, though handsome, clever and rich, is avoiding talk of marriage at all costs. For while society expects Amelia to marry well, her heart is drawing her in a very different direction . . . 'Romance and scandal abound in this compelling period drama . . . Recommended for all lovers of Regency historical fiction' LAURA SHEPPERSON, author of The Heroines 'Warm and witty, with a wonderful cast of quirky characters whose company I found irresistible' JESSICA BULL, author of Miss Austen Investigates ©2024 Katie Lumsden (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Katie Lumsden (Author), Olivia Vinall (Narrator)

Audiobook

The God of the Woods

"AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF 2024 WINNER OF GOODREADS MYSTERY & THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 'I was totally gripped' DOUGLAS STUART 'Immersive and enthralling' PAULA HAWKINS 'At first hard to put down. By page 200, impossible' STEPHEN KING –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– When their thirteen-year-old daughter Barbara goes missing at summer camp, all eyes fall on the Van Laar family. They're cold, rich people. They own the camp. And it's happened to them before. Fourteen years ago their little boy, Bear, vanished without a trace. Two children lost to the same wilderness. Is it a tragedy… or a crime? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- ‘Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced … I can't remember the last time I felt so entangled in a novelist's coils’ Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures 'A beguiling novel with a relentless grip. You won't be able to put it down' Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground 'At once an immersive family saga and utterly propulsive mystery. Beautifully written' Emilia Hart, author of Weyward ‘A masterful literary thriller’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Hike ‘Riveting from page one to the last breathless word … This book flew by at lightning speed, but will stick with me for a very long time’ Rebecca Makkai, author of I Have Some Questions For You ‘Dickensian in scope … Very entertaining’ Vogue, Best Picks for Summer 2024 The God of the Woods debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list on 21 July 2024. READERS ARE SAYING… 'I simply couldn't put it down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An excellent page-turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I didn’t see the end coming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I strongly urge everyone to read it and experience the magic for themselves' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'My top read for 2024 so far. Actually, top read full stop' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fascinating story with lots of ups and downs… I did like the conclusion, very clever!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Loved this book from page one! … A book not to be missed!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I cannot think of when I have read anything so evocative' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A riveting read. If you're looking for intriguing characters, a beautifully crafted, slow and atmospheric mystery that feels incredibly intense, then this is the one for you' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Liz Moore (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

Audiobook

Everyone I Know is Dying

"'I hope the lights are on when we finally have sex so he can see how young I am compared to his wife.' Readers are loving Everyone I Know is Dying: 'An important, electric portrayal of mental health' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Brutally relatable' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'One of the most powerful books I've ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Brilliantly written by an outstanding new literary talent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Words struggle to express the enormity and the power it holds' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Raw, relentless, revelatory' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ *** When she’s having sex with her boss, Iris likes to have the lights on so he can see how much younger she is than his wife. She likes watching her colleagues eat unhealthy lunches at their desk while her stomach aches with emptiness. She likes coasting at work knowing she’s going to land a big promotion anyway. So why when it arrives does she find herself sprawled on her hallway floor, crying uncontrollably? Why, instead of a sense of triumph, does a crippling depression threaten to overwhelm her? Why does the support and stability of her family and friends feel so suffocating? And why, torn between her flatmate George – good, kind, reliable George – and cold, indifferent Patrick, does she only seem capable of making choices that cause her pain? A razor-sharp, bleakly funny exploration of mental health crises, the societal pressures on young women, and toxic sexual and romantic relationships from one of the most exciting new literary voices. Perfect for fans of Sorrow and Bliss or Cleopatra and Frankenstein. 'Sharp and uncompromising… Everyone I Know is Dying is a book that demands to be read' Joe Gibson, author of Seventeen 'I read every page obsessively… sharp and witty and so delicately crafted' Elvin Mensah, author of Small Joys"

Emily Slapper (Author), Sofia Engstrand (Narrator)

Audiobook

My Parents' Marriage: A Novel

"Acclaimed children’s author Nana Brew-Hammond makes her highly anticipated adult debut with this soaring and profound story about love and understanding told through three generations of one Ghanian family. Determined to avoid the pain and instability of her parents’ turbulent, confusing marriage, Kokui marries a man far different from her loving, philandering, self-made father—and tries to be a different kind of wife from her mother. But when Kokui and her husband leave Ghana to make a new life for themselves in America, she finds history repeating itself. Her marriage failing, she is called home to Ghana when her father dies. Back in her childhood home, which feels both familiar and discomforting, she comes to realize that to exorcize the ghost of her parents’ marriage she must confront them, not only to enable her own healing, but for the sake of her daughter who is considering a marriage proposal of her own. Tender and illuminating, warm and bittersweet My Parents’ Marriage is a compelling story of family, community, class, and self-identity from an author with deep empathy and a generous heart."

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (Author), Ekua Ekumah (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rosarita: From the three times Booker-shortlisted author

"'Anita Desai is a magnificent writer' - Salman Rushdie 'Every new work from her is a gift' - Kamila Shamsie 'Rosarita is transcendent . . . a testament to Desai's enduring genius as a writer' - The Guardian 'Tantalising' - Financial Times From three times Booker-shortlisted author Anita Desai, Rosarita is a beautiful, haunting novel that explores memory, grief, and a young woman's determination to forge her own path. A young student sits on a bench in a park in San Miguel, Mexico. Bonita is away from her home in India to learn Spanish. She is alone, somewhere she has no connection to. It is bliss. And then a woman approaches her. The woman claims to recognize Bonita because she is the spitting image of her mother, who made the same journey from India to Mexico as a young artist. No, says Bonita, my mother didn't paint. She never travelled to Mexico. But this strange woman insists, and so Bonita follows her. Into a story where Bonita and her mother will move apart and come together, and where the past threatens to flood the present, or re-write it. **Praise for Meera Simhan** 'With vocal agility Simhan deftly shifts her tone and accent to realistically narrate diverse characters . . . Simhan's strength lies in narrating emotionally fraught passages that will move listeners' - AudioFile Magazine **Praise for Anita Desai** Hypnotically beautiful and subtle' - Financial Times 'Bewitchingly beautiful' - The Times 'Profoundly elegiac' - New Statesman"

Anita Desai (Author), Meera Simhan (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Woman of Opinion

"Brought to you by Penguin. 'I shall be a thousand different Marys and, in such manner, shall find the one I wish to be...' Lady Mary Wortley Montagu longs for adventure, freedom and love, believing that only by truly living can she ever escape the stalking crow of Death... An aristocratic woman in 18th century England is expected to act in certain ways. But Mary has never let society's expectations stifle her: she writes celebrated poetry and articles advocating for equality, as well as endless, often scandalous, letters to her many powerful friends. However, Mary wants more from the world. Using her charm and connections, she engineers a job offer for her husband as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Travelling to Constantinople, Mary finally discovers the autonomous life she dreams of. And when she observes Turkish women 'engrafting' children against smallpox, she resolves to bring the miracle cure back to England. Despite this, Mary's reputation becomes increasingly tainted. Her inability to abide by the rules, her outspoken opinions on women's rights, and her search for love and desire at all costs gains her powerful enemies. While Mary tries to ensure her name will live on by arranging the publication of her diaries after her death, her own daughter works against her, afraid of what they might contain... An illuminating and beautiful novel which gives a voice to the tragically unremembered yet extraordinary life of pioneering poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu. ©2024 Sean Lusk (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Sean Lusk (Author), Anna Burnett, Olivia Vinall, Rachel Bavidge, Roy Mcmillan (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Orange Room

"Brought to you by Penguin. Can we live fully when we are too afraid to be seen? Rhianne is about to find out Rhianne expresses her inner world through line and colour. This summer, though, back home in the west country, she is seeking distraction in heat and noise. Art school in London has ripped away her confidence and sense of safety: better for now to be swept along by the hotel kitchen where she’s working, where the pressure is high and the dangers are more obvious. Sharp knives. Hot plates. Little time to think. Her dad, Dominic, is concerned for Rhianne but relieved to have her close. Her step-mum, Melissa, is on alert, though trying to tread carefully. But then there’s Callum, just across the chef’s pass, with his controlled manner and intent gaze. There’s attraction. There’s everything that comes next. From the acclaimed author of What Red Was, The Orange Room is about the narrow line between passion and control, and an insidious kind of violence that is difficult to name. Asking what it means to see clearly, and what courage it takes to be seen, it is the story of a tenacious young woman who – through her art, her strength, her determination – finds her way back to herself. Praise for What Red Was: 'A writer with a voice as fresh as new paint' The Times 'One of the most powerful debuts you'll ever read' Stylist 'Scorching and original' Sunday Times 'An urgent story told beautifully' - Dolly Alderton ©2024 Rosie Price (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Rosie Price (Author), Sofia Oxenham (Narrator)

Audiobook

All This and More: A Novel

"From the critically acclaimed, bestselling author of The Cartographers and The Book of M comes an inventive new novel about a woman who wins the chance to rewrite every mistake she’s ever made… and how far she’ll go to find her elusive “happily ever after.” But there’s a twist: the reader gets to decide what she does next to change her fate. One woman. Endless options. Every choice has consequences. Meek, play-it-safe Marsh has just turned forty-five, and her life is in shambles. Her career is stagnant, her marriage has imploded, and her teenage daughter grows more distant by the day. Marsh is convinced she’s missed her chance at everything—romance, professional fulfillment, and adventure—and is desperate for a do-over. She can’t believe her luck when she’s selected to be the star of the global sensation All This and More, a show that uses quantum technology to allow contestants the chance to revise their pasts and change their present lives. It’s Marsh’s only shot to seize her dreams, and she’s determined to get it right this time. But even as she rises to become a famous lawyer, gets back together with her high school sweetheart, and travels the world, she begins to worry that All This and More’s promises might be too good to be true. Because while the technology is amazing, something seems a bit off.… Can Marsh really make her life everything she wants it to be? And is it worth it? Perfect for fans of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life, bestselling author Peng Shepherd’s All This and More is an utterly original, startlingly poignant novel that puts the reader in the driver’s seat. "

Peng Shepherd (Author), Helen Laser (Narrator)

Audiobook

Toward Eternity: A Novel

"''A love story spanning multiple millenniums, life-forms and variations on immortality, the book posits Victorian poetry as a weapon of empire, insists on nature's resilience in the face of genocide, and manipulates prose into something like a new language....Toward Eternity recognizes both the building and burning of bridges.'' -New York Times *A PARADE, LITHUB, and CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS Best New Book. *An AUDIOFILE EARPHONES AWARD WINNER. Negotiating the terrain of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun and Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility, a brilliant, haunting speculative novel from a #1 New York Times bestselling translator that sets out to answer the question: What does it mean to be human in a world where technology is quickly catching up to biology? In a near-future world, a new technological therapy is quickly eradicating cancer. The body’s cells are entirely replaced with nanites—robot or android cells which not only cure those afflicted but leaves them virtually immortal. Literary researcher Yonghun teaches an AI how to understand poetry and creates a living, thinking machine he names Panit, meaning Beloved, in honor of his husband. When Yonghun—himself a recipient of nanotherapy—mysteriously vanishes into thin air and then just as suddenly reappears, the event raises disturbing questions. What happened to Yonghun, and though he’s returned, is he really himself anymore? When Dr. Beeko, the scientist who holds the patent to the nanotherapy technology, learns of Panit, he transfers its consciousness from the machine into an android body, giving it freedom and life. As Yonghun, Panit, and other nano humans thrive—and begin to replicate—their development will lead them to a crossroads and a choice with existential consequences. Exploring the nature of intelligence and the unexpected consequences of progress, the meaning of personhood and life, and what we really have to fear from technology and the future, Toward Eternity is a gorgeous, thought-provoking novel that challenges the notion of what makes us human—and how love survives even the end of that humanity."

Anton Hur (Author), David Lee Huynh, Katherine Littrell, Nicky Endres, Zoleka Vundla (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Melancholy of Untold History: A Novel

"A beautifully crafted, enriching saga inspired by East Asian mythology, The Melancholy of Untold History is Minsoo Kang’s debut novel, steeped in history like R.F. Kuang’s Babel, epic in scope like Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land, and lyrically exciting like David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, interweaving four complex yet entertaining stories as they shape and create a nation’s literary narrative through the themes of love and grief. A history professor mourning his wife. His young protégé’s search for a path forward. Four witty mountain gods with much to say and not enough time to listen. A gifted storyteller bringing a world into being out of thin air... Famous for his dispelling of the national myth, the Historian understands the power of narrative. He has inspired another young professor to search for her own truths, while trying to understand the way fiction creates fact and how sometimes the past can only be understood by filling in holes with a new narrative. Which is exactly what he needs when his wife passes away to parse meaning out of a world that no longer makes sense. Together the protégé and the Historian find comfort in each other. Yet they know their time together is fleeting, as time usually is. Only the gods have an abundance of time, and yet—the two discover—even that might not be so clear cut. Part of their homeland’s myth tells of four gods who squabbled and argued and destroyed and rebuilt time and again. Or did they? Because, of course, even the gods need mouthpieces on earth. And the one the Historian knows of—the elusive Storyteller—may have just been spinning tales for his own amusement and, ultimately, revenge. By fabricating the exploits of the gods, he could have set a course for certain events to unfold and a particular story to survive today. Spanning 3,000 years and multiple voices—with tales within tales woven expertly together—The Melancholy of Untold History reveals a people and its individuals who seek to confront the hardships of life through storytelling. Mixing the East Asian mythos with a postmodern approach to standard sci-fi/fantasy narrative tropes, Minsoo Kang has created a challenging, beautiful, sad, humorous, and ultimately unforgettable novel of love, grief, and myth-making."

Minsoo Kang (Author), Keong Sim (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lo Fi: A Novel

""Swoony, sexy, and melancholy. . . a tattered love letter to youth, music, and Nashville." -Daisy Alpert Florin, author of My Last Innocent Year In the sweaty music clubs and late-night house parties of Nashville, an aspiring songwriter tries to make friends, find love, and write songs-without losing herself Most nights, you'll find Alison Hunter at The Venue, the kind of sweaty Nashville spot that's on the circuit for bands like Bon Iver and Death Cab. Sounds glamorous-but not for Al, who stamps hands at the door with Julien, the quiet coworker who treats her like a little sister. When she can sneak off, she bums drinks from the tattooed bartender and watches the bands, wondering if she'll ever finish a song of her own after her disastrous attempt to play in public. When a once-in-a-century storm hits and her lead singer ex-boyfriend shows up at the door, Al finds herself stuck in a perpetual cycle of late nights, new flings, and old flames. Obsessed with the disappearance of a troubled indie star, she slowly starts to lose it herself-until one reckless night threatens to derail everything. As propulsive and sexy as the rasp of a static-driven amp, Lo Fi is an openhearted tribute to the messy truth of the creative life, the clash of lust and love, and the yearning to be heard."

Liz Riggs (Author), Jesse Vilinsky (Narrator)

Audiobook

Literary Fiction Audiobooks in Literature