Abide with Me

By: Ian Ayris

Narrated by: Karl Jenkinson

Two boys. John and Kenny. One streetwise and football mad, the other cold and unfathomable.

It's 1975. The heart of London's East End. As John celebrates the Hammers beating Fulham in the Cup Final, Kenny tumbles out the door of the new people's house across the street having taken a beating of a different kind.

When the new school year begins, John befriends Kenny, defending him from the ridicule of his classmates. But when you become mates with someone as odd, as downright terrifying as Kenny, nothing is ever straightforward. Amidst the turbulent years of late seventies London, the lives of John and Kenny spiral out of control. They meet again, years later, and local villain, Ronnie Swordfish, is after Kenny's head. All John can do is watch. Kenny, he ain't saying a word. He never does.

So when Ronnie gives the order to fetch his three foot Samurai sword, John thinks the game's all but up. Thing is, he don't know the half of it...

Abide With Me is a story of football, friendship, and hope. And gangsters.

A story of how two boys walked blind into the darkness... and emerged as men.

©2014 Darren Laws (P)2014 Caffeine Nights Publishing

Excellent

What made the experience of listening to Abide with Me the most enjoyable?

I read the book in print and its so specific to it's time and setting I kept hearing the words in the accent already, though through my American filter. Now I could hear the world of this fascinating book told as it was meant. It really enhanced the experience of an already superb book.

What did you like best about this story?

It's poignant, gritty, unexpectedly emotional at times. It's a coming of age tale, a crime story, a snapshot of London at a specific point in time. It all comes together in a fully realized world that transported me the way great books are meant to.

Have you listened to any of Karl Jenkinson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not. He nailed the tone and attitude of this book perfectly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It would probably do well in one sitting. I gave it 3-4 days, but it's a compact story you could knock out in one afternoon or long car ride.

Any additional comments?

A great book made even better by a stellar read.

A great coming of age story in 70s London

ABIDE WITH ME by Ian Ayris
is an excellent coming-of-age story in the 70s in Great Britain (it is also available in the all-in-one edition “Shining Like Rainbows: The Complete John Sissons Trilogy”). In a household with a dad that loves his football team, and a neighbor boy who gets picked on and barely talks, John is going through as many changes as London is. His observations are stark and fascinating. Karl Jenkinson narrates it proper well! He hits all the slang and swearing with the right oomph. I had to listen closely at first through the accent, but my ears got used to it quickly. I haven’t read the next two books, but this one is a banger of a great piece of growing up in 70s London for well over its first half.

I thought this was going to a religious book at first, but “Abide With Me” is usually sung at the FA Cup (and that fact is brought up in the book). I won’t go into its metaphorical meaning too deeply here, but the title works. All three books in the series are named after songs.

I received this audio book free for an honest review from FreeAudiobookCodes, and I’m very glad I did.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Growing Up in London…

For me the narrator’s accent made it difficult to follow the storyline at times. If you normally listen to audiobooks while you drive this one might be better saved for when you have more time to focus your full attention to just listening. I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.