Sample

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Old God's Time

By: Sebastian Barry
Narrated by: Stephen Hogan
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.56

Buy for $15.56

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_WEBCRO358_DT_T2

Publisher's summary

From the two-time Booker Prize finalist author, a dazzlingly written novel exploring memory, grief, and long-buried secrets

Retired policeman Tom Kettle is enjoying the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a white Victorian Castle in Dalkey overlooking the sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, but his peace is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask questions about a decades-old case. A traumatic case which Tom never quite came to terms with.

His peace is further disturbed by a young mother and family who move in next door, a woman on the run from her own troubles. And what of Tom’s family, his wife June, and their two children?

Old God’s Time is a beautiful, haunting novel in which everything is not quite what it seems—a novel about what we live through, what we live with, and what may survive us.

©2023 Sebastian Barry (P)2023 Faber & Faber

What listeners say about Old God's Time

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    99
  • 4 Stars
    38
  • 3 Stars
    31
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    25
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    113
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    83
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    19
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I have never’ look like this.

The interior, life of the main character is so beautifully. and thoroughly add imagistic, magically drawn I could not leave his world. Thank you to the author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

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

Beautiful Writing

This beautifully written story depicts the inner dialogue of an old retired police officer as he contemplates his life, his loves and his many losses.
Stephen Hogan’s narration is perfect. Despite the many positive things about this piece of literature, be prepared for it’s depiction of heartbreaking loss.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Very well written but depressing

Not a book to read if you need a mood booster. And not a good casual listen as you have to pay attention to follow the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Captivating

The narrator’s lovely voice and accent draw you in to this story. You co inhabit the interior life of this retired Irish cop, as the mystery slowly unfolds. Real and surreal at the same time. Give it time. Be patient. Savor the writing which is astounding and poetic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

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

Exquisite

A sad story told in the warmest, most beautiful words. A reminder of what a gift sweet memories are, even when bad things happen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

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

Such beauty

The most beautiful story about grief I have ever heard. The voicing of Hogan was a perfect fit and made for a stunning experience.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Astonishingly

Barry’s writing and descent to the deepest human realms mesmerizes, sorrows and reminds us of our deep, complex and beautiful humanity.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Insightful reflections on personal loss

This new work from Barry is superficially about a retired police detective following a cold case. Tom Kettle's reflection on his life, losses, and accountability outside of the law transcends experiences unique to policing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

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

Sad and deeply moving

Beautiful poetic prose. The narration was lovely and a fitting reflection of this sorrowful story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Read ALL the reviews

Well written. Haven’t finished and may not. Lots of graphics descriptions of catholic priests’ above of children. Hard to get through.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!