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  • The Illegal

  • Written by: Lawrence Hill
  • Narrated by: Gideon Emery
  • Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,149 ratings)

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The Illegal cover art

The Illegal

Written by: Lawrence Hill
Narrated by: Gideon Emery
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Publisher's Summary

Keita Ali has nothing: no bank account, no papers, no legal identity. A runner, he has fled home - a brutal dictatorship that produces the world's fastest marathoners - to live as an illegal refugee in a wealthy Western nation, surviving on winnings from local races. But the government is cracking down on illegal immigrants, so Keita - who will be executed if he is deported to his homeland - goes underground.

Now a series of crises call for him to earn quick money: an unscrupulous businessman targets him, a serious health problem erupts, and, most troublingly, officials in Keita's native country kidnap his sister, threatening to execute her unless he pays a ransom. As Keita struggles to resolve these problems, he discovers a troubling political connection between his native and his adoptive countries.

The Illegal is a rich, riveting novel that weaves a complex moral and psychological web.

©2015 Lawrence Hill Creative Services, Inc. (P)2016 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Illegal

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting story

Slow to start, getting all the characters in place.
Became champions of the main character, and the positive relationships developed.
Cool twist at the end

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unexpectedly cool

So, I was offered this book by audible. English is not my first language, but I decided I should go for it.
Maybe because of my english, not as good as one of a native speaker, I appreciated this book and was not frustrated by any of the specific english - hydro instead of electricity, etc...

I liked the reader's voice and the way I could recognize each character. I loved when he sang.

The story. Well, it's not an extraordinary story, but one that is pleaant to listen. I liked the description of the races,
I feel like Keita Ali is going along the event very well. He seems to cope with everything that happens to him, but I couldn't feel the surge of being illegal - some situations felt fake, emotionnally speaking - nor his sadness neither his real joy.
I really enjoyed how these characters are crossing each other's path but was disappointed by the end.

That is definitely not the book of the century, maybe not even the one of the year, but I don't have the feeling of having wasted any time.
Now, I want to read the "Book of negroes" from the same writer.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping storyline and great performance

I loved the book. It's fast paced with colourful characters and a fictional world that is all too relatable. The performance was also excellent.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but long

This book opens your eyes to how fortunate those of us are born into a free country!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great all around book.

Never thought I would have enjoyed a book based on rinning....but I did.

The story was well written and engaging, the characters were believable and the audio performance was perfect. In all a great book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Best Books of the Year

The book was great and the performance was even better. The story was interesting and the characters were well developed. Fantastic!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved It

I loved this book. The characters had such striking influences on how a person felt. I really got into the story. The ending was happy and I truly enjoyed it every step of the way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

very imprrssed

I was a bit Leary at first then the story really grabbed me. I had another story I had started but could not go back to it until I finished this one. very well Done!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I could not stop listening

I enjoyed listening to this book. There were so mamy themes that came together in the end. it was free too

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

great performance! good story.

I enjoyed it. it was easy to get into. I finished it very quickly after the story started rolling.

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