LAZARUS REMEMBERED

I have just finished listening to 'Lazarus Remembered' - a story told with words and music by EJ Harper and produced independently as an audiobook narrated by Francesca Tomlinson. Wow. This is so much more than an audiobook: it's a story with a full soundscape, giving a unique immersive audio experience... The story features thirteen original songs produced and performed by Andy Harper - with singers Robin John Andrews, Nicola Moxham, Dingo Montell, Francesca Tomlinson and Andy Harper. The songs are perfectly-placed: the music and atmospheric sounds enable you to almost taste and feel the places you are taken too - whether a home, a bar or an outdoor space. The novel is predominantly set in the fictional town of Lazarus in New South Wales, Australia and - exactly as billed - is ‘a story about secrets and lies, love and loss, reinvention and redemption…’. The story unfolds by exploring the people and places and moments in time that have led to the events of 2012 – which result in Peter heading back to Australia from the UK – and painting pictures and giving clues to the background of everything that has played out over 50 years... A wonderfully told story! As well as recalling the plot that plays out, I think an over-riding memory will be the experience of the full spectrum of the human condition playing out: life, death, the flaws in us all, bad decisions made for very good reasons: this will stay with me. Recommended!!

This was my first experience with an audiobook but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Lazarus Remembered has a compelling storyline, which is beautifully narrated and interspersed with some original songs that really fit with, and enhance, the narrative. I quickly found myself immersed in the drama, which flips between past and present and keeps the listener guessing to the end about the reason why Pete suddenly left Australia 30 years ago. It’s a clever and unique concept to tell a story with words and music but it really works!

Lazarus Remembered is a complex family drama that takes place over several different timelines. The narrative revolves around Peter who returns to his hometown of Lazarus after learning that his mother is dying. Expect emotional scenes and some surprising twists! The audiobook also has a soundscape featuring original music and songs. This allowed me to connect with the world of Lazarus and its characters in a way that cannot be achieved with narration of a story. I highly recommend this!