
The Girl Before
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Narrated by:
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Brittany Pressley
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By:
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Rena Olsen
In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a woman's life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true...wasn't?
Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing.
In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Clara's fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different name - Diana - and who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future.
©2016 Rena Olsen (P)2016 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
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However, I wish some of the character development would have been more thorough. Many of the characters were presented in a one- dimensional way that just doesn't appeal to me. Additionally, there are some pretty giant plot holes that the reader has to overlook along the way. It's definitely entertaining and kept my attention throughout, but it certainly doesn't fall into the "awesome" category for me.
The narration is pretty well done, but she's right in the verge of some whiny overacting.
Decent
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Too whiny for me
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Average book, great narration
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Brittany Pressley is probably the best narrator I've heard over the 100+ books to which I've listened. She gives each character literally a different voice by raising and/or lowering the pitch or rhythm of her own, yet none sounds forced or silly.
Also, as a HUGELY critical nitpicker of timing, pronunciation etc, I truly cannot think of a single instance of a single one, which has literally never happened in any audio book to which I've listened over at least 12 years!
By every measure, this is one of the books on most best seller lists that absolutely deserves it's place.
Excellent all around
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Could have been shorter
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What did you like best about The Girl Before? What did you like least?
The story line, though hard to accept such things exist, was a decent read. There was lots to dislike, but where to start.Would you be willing to try another book from Rena Olsen? Why or why not?
I'm not sure.Was The Girl Before worth the listening time?
Yes, the story was good. Was it worth the listening time? I think it could have been shortened in some areas and more focused in other areas. Towards the end, I was like, enough already.It Was Good.
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Great book and narrator.
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Well worth the credit!
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Unconventional and moving
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absolutely loved it!
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