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  • Home Stretch

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Graham Norton
  • Narrated by: Graham Norton
  • Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (51 ratings)

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Home Stretch

Written by: Graham Norton
Narrated by: Graham Norton
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Publisher's Summary

In this “compelling, bighearted, emotionally precise page-turner” (Sunday Times), the New York Times best-selling writer and acclaimed television host explores the aftermath of a tragedy on a small town to illuminate the shame and longing that can flow through generations - and how the secrets of the heart cannot stay be buried forever.

It is 1987, and a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the ceremony, a group of young friends, including the bride and groom, are involved in an accident. Three survive. Three are killed.

The lives of the families are shattered and the rifts between them ripple throughout the small town. Connor survived, but living among the angry and the mourning is almost as hard as carrying the shame of having been the driver. He leaves the only place he knows for another life, taking his secrets with him. Travelling first to Liverpool, then London, he eventually makes a home - of sorts - for himself in New York, where he finds shelter and the possibility of forging a new life.

But the secrets - the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind - will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to confront his past.

A powerful and timely novel of emigration and return, Home Stretch demonstrates Norton’s keen understanding of the power of stigma and secrecy - and their devastating effect on ordinary lives. 

©2021 Graham Norton (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Home Stretch

Average Customer Ratings
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Great story!

Well written, well performed - interesting for all. Good to hear Graham Norton reading his own work.

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Heartwarming story

A lovely story all about misunderstandings, guilt and love. A good story with interesting characters

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Great Storytelling

Graham Norton tells and writes a good believable story in the Irish tradition of descriptive phrases punctuated with human frailties.
Well done.

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I’m Not Crying, You Are

Beautifully written and narrated (though I confess, I had to slow the narration down due to my North American ears). I was in tears and laughed out loud. Wonderful story about life.

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Outstanding could not stop listening

Loved this book so engaging great story with wonderful characters. the narration was excellent!

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Delicious

Graham Norton's narriation was a feast of sumptuous sound bites. It made me wish the story would never end.

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very enjoyable

Great story with some interesting surprises along the way. Graham has the perfect voice to narrate his book.

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  • Linda Ottey
  • 2021-07-06

Great plot but...

... as so often now, padded with graphic descriptions of sex acts. The family dynamics, the storyline, the reconciliations were all compelling but, for me, tainted by the above.

137 people found this helpful

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  • James
  • 2021-06-25

A beautiful story.

Graham Norton writes with such ease. I actually looked forward to my slow commute because it gave me time to listen. The fact that he reads the story is a huge bonus.

35 people found this helpful

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  • Kristyn Rose
  • 2021-06-27

Brilliant!

Graham Norton is a master of portraying life and people in small-town Ireland. The people are dimensional, flawed, and real. Their stories interlocked and poignant. And he can reveal a plot twist like no other. You will laugh and cry, rage and sigh. This is another excellently-told story from Norton!

31 people found this helpful

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  • RES
  • 2021-06-29

Fantastic Must Read

Many writers simply repeat boring story lines and experiencing their books is frustrating, but Graham knows how to weave a story to keep his audience on the edge of their seats until the final paragraph of the book. I don’t typically give 5 stars when rating books, but this book is worthy of 5’s for all categories.

25 people found this helpful

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  • Golden Walrus
  • 2021-07-10

Could have been so much better

Starts well. Appealing characters. Turns into a slow moving soap opera well before the extensive denouement.

15 people found this helpful

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  • maura
  • 2021-07-02

Another great book by Norton

Norton has a way with weaving a story and this book is as good as the others. Interesting storylines and believable motivations along with truly human characters make for a poignant, depth-filled,and even sometimes funny read. Highly recommend!

15 people found this helpful

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  • Barbara S. Feighner
  • 2021-09-14

I loved this story!

This is the best book I've listened to in years. The writing is fun and intense and insightful. The narration enhanced the storytelling. I will read everything Graham has written and hope for more from him, too.

9 people found this helpful

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  • Kim Buckalew
  • 2021-09-04

Wonderful.

Graham Norton please write books everyday and do nothing else! I so enjoy listening to the author read this wonderful story. The best so far.

7 people found this helpful

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  • Ray RN
  • 2021-09-02

Another Brilliant Slice of Life Story

Mr. Norton has once again taken a single event and brought it to life, giving it texture and depth and weight. He introduces us to a variety of characters and makes us care about them. I highly recommend this book

7 people found this helpful

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  • Anne K
  • 2021-08-01

Love listening to Graham Norton but….

The story was weak, I thought, but redeemed by the so beautifully Irish lilt of the narration.

6 people found this helpful