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Rain

By: Barney Campbell
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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Summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Rain by Barney Campbell, read by Mark Meadows.

Corporal Thomas (my acting sergeant since Adams died) and I have to go down the line of the boys as they're checking their kit before we go out. Some of them are crying - not bawling, just weeping gently but still steadfast; others are just pumped to the max, bouncing their heads up and down like they're listening to trance music, just amped about getting the rounds down. Those are the ones I'm most worried about; how they're going to cope with being back home is beyond me.

The other day Thommo and I had to drag one boy, Croxley, out of the gate and kick him down the road for 10 metres as he sobbed and wailed just to get him going. But when the contact started, he was immaculate, calm as you like. And they're so young as well. For some of them this is their first time abroad. I've promised them that abroad is not usually this bad....

Drawing on the author's own experience, Rain is the most powerful, vivid and affecting portrait of the Afghan frontline to have yet emerged - a novel of war that will take its place among the classics from previous generations.

©2015 Barney Campbell (P)2015 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Rain

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excellent

An excellent book ,and narrated very well also got to grips with all the characters really quickly

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Superb!

Excellent book, well narrated. Very emotional & one of only a few books that brought a tear to my eye.

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Destined to be a classic

This is an outstanding book and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with those from The Vietnam War onwards. It is powerful and emotional story that deserves to be read by the widest possible audience. As a first book it is a tour-de-force and would make a great film or mini-series.

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Harrowing.

Provides an incredible insight in to the futility of war, whilst at the same time showing why young men still join up to fight.

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Gripping, moving story

This was an unlikely choice for me but I found the story totally gripping and I went back to listening every opportunity I had.

Mark Meadows narration was excellent on every respect, which was a pleasant surprise as I had not enjoyed his narration of The Gustav Sonata.

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Pretty real

Read this book after a recommendation and got to say it’s pretty spot on with serving in Afghanistan myself could relate to it and it was like revisiting the place. 10/10

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Haunting, compelling, memorable, funny and shocking.

This is a true classic and easily the best audiobook I have heard for a long while. The pace, detail and atmosphere of army life and the horrors and joys of military service in Afghanistan are vividly brought to life by Mark Meadows’ expert narration of Barney Campbell’s sympathetic, understated but totally realistic account of a young officer’s journey from cadet to beloved troop leader. There are few books that leave you sitting in stunned silence at their close. This is one of them.

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