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  • Homesick

  • Why I Live in a Shed
  • By: Catrina Davies
  • Narrated by: Catrina Davies
  • Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (339 ratings)

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Homesick

By: Catrina Davies
Narrated by: Catrina Davies
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Summary

The story of a personal housing crisis that led to a discovery of the true value of home.

Aged 31, Catrina Davies was renting a box-room in a house in Bristol, which she shared with four other adults and a child. Working several jobs and never knowing if she could make the rent, she felt like she was breaking apart.

Homesick for the landscape of her childhood, in the far west of Cornwall, Catrina decides to give up the box-room and face her demons. As a child, she saw her family and their security torn apart; now, she resolves to make a tiny, dilapidated shed a home of her own.

With the freedom to write, surf and make music, Catrina rebuilds the shed and, piece by piece, her own sense of self. On the border of civilisation and wilderness, between the woods and the sea, she discovers the true value of home, while trying to find her place in a fragile natural world.

This is the story of a personal housing crisis and a country-wide one, grappling with class, economics, mental health and nature. It shows how housing can trap us or set us free, and what it means to feel at home. This audio edition includes music by Catrina Davies.

©2019 Catrina Davies (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited

Critic reviews

"You will marvel at the beauty of this book, and rage at the injustice it reveals." (George Monbiot)

"Incredibly moving. To find peace and a sense of home after a life so profoundly affected by the housing crisis, is truly inspirational." (Raynor Winn, best-selling author of The Salt Path)

What listeners say about Homesick

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

Heartwarming and raw

Thank you for this book. Both fills you with warmth and exposes realities. Shows you how rubbish people can be but also how thoughtful and giving others are. Really enjoyed it and want to know what happens next ❤️❤️

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Superb listen

This book resonated in so many ways. The fears, joys, challenges ... Thank you.

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  • Overall
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Thoroughly enjoyable

I found it an easy listen, interesting and liked that even though it feels like a fiction it’s roots are from truth and experience. Hearty and encouraging, especially for us youngens who find ourselves in similar predicaments

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful writing and narration

I loved the singing at the end it made me cry. I have a tiny summer house in my little garden which I can feel close to nature in my own way.

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

UK housing crisis, human cost thoughtfully exposed

Having seen Catrina interviewed on TV about her new book I was glad when it was published on Audiobooks especially with the author as narrator. Catrina telling her story makes such a big difference in communicating her inner self, feelings, hopes and fears.
It is a a fascinating read, both on the personal level and the well researched and described state in which our society is split over the housing divide. This book should resonate with everyone as to what has happened and the sad consequences.
For me the book had a strong ending and conclusion.
Although the author is obviously gifted and thus her writing involves the reader, especially her personal story, I did almost give up a third way through - I'm glad I didn't! - as at times I felt she almost strayed over the line of communicating a genuine grievance into a "chip on the shoulder" commentary. Some comments and quotes also sounded a bit "hippie-ish" and her view of christianity sounded a bit dogmatic, as if her childhood experience blinded her to what is good about our faith.
Genuine story though told with sincerity. Let's hope this book will prove to be an effective challenge to us - Our Society - to help put right the structural injustices which are doing much harm.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Wonderful poetic account of Catrinas journey to find her home
Wise and uplifting,heartfelt and heartwarming

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very interesting, enjoyable, thought_provoking.

Really enjoyed this although was quite depressing at times regarding housing in Britain.

Really well narrated too. Would love to hear a quick update one day.

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Moving

Such a moving, heart felt story , read and told beautifully. one to heard by many for our current climate

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Insightful and thought provoking

Thank you Catrina, your story is one needing to be more widely heard. I enjoyed it greatly.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A gift of a book.

The narration is melodic. The story is inspirational and educational. Whilst my life is very different, there ate so many parallels. I didn't want this to end and I'm hungry for anything else she writes. Get the book - you won't regret it.

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