Listening Still

By Anne Griffin
  • Atmospheric
  • Fiction

A story of life and death.

Listening Still introduces us to Jeanie Masterson, a woman who has a gift: she can hear the recently dead and give voice to their final wishes and revelations. The story begins with Jeanie’s parents unexpectedly announcing their plan to retire. As Jeanie begins to realise what this might mean for her future, she starts to think about her past and the choice she had to make when she was a teenager: to stay or leave for a new life in London with her boyfriend.

This book explores such an interesting concept which frames a quite traditional story of a woman reassessing her life and choices along the way.

For a book that explores death, it’s also very funny in parts – who wouldn’t love to know what secrets their neighbours are harbouring!

I was curious to see how the concept of being able to hear the dead would be approached and I think it was explored really well by Griffin. As the dead can only contact Jeanie for a finite amount of time after they die, it really adds to the urgency of the moment. The emotional toll of hearing the last wishes but also the grief and pain of the recently dead leaves you with great sympathy for the protagonist.

For me, where this novel excelled was in its exploration of the vulnerability of people and the importance of finding peace at the end of your time. Life can be hard, difficult, complicated, and Listening Still explores the sadness that we can carry around with us. But also our bravery. In life and in death. And also the bravery of those that are left behind.

It’s a book about people and an emotional read at times, but definitely one I think is worth reading

Staff Pick By
Katy