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The Time Being  By  cover art

The Time Being

By: Antonia Honeywell
Narrated by: Melody Grove
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Editorial reviews

The Time Being is written by Antonia Honeywell and is the short story prequel to the full length audiobook The Ship, narrated by actress Melody Grove. This is a beautifully written and intricately constructed story entwined with suspense. Futuristic London is a dangerous and uninviting place. Young Lalla, like all children, is focused only on survival. When the government offers the people a chance for a real future, Lalla is suspicious. Will she risk everything for the promise of protection? What secrets do the government have lying inside Regent’s Park? Available now from Audible.

Publisher's summary

At 11 Lalla should be enjoying her childhood in London. But this is not London as we know it. In a collapsed society, Lalla struggles to imagine her future. When a government announcement invites her to enjoy a new life in Regent’s Park, Lalla sees a glimmer of hope. But what is she willing to risk?

The Time Being is the short-story prequel to The Ship by Antonia Honeywell, if you enjoyed this, you’ll love the full-length novel sequel.

©2014 Antonia Honeywell (P)2014 W.F. Howes Ltd

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What listeners say about The Time Being

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

Short and Free

This seemed to me to have the feel of a YA girl story. I did not hate it or love it. It did not encourage me to buy the full length novel. If you are interested it is free and it is short.

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17 people found this helpful

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

I want more from this author!

This story is interesting. How often is that actually true? The characters, the setting, the descriptions, all interesting. I was motivated to go find Honeywell's blog where, as I hoped, she said her (first) book will be released soon. I will absolutely be giving it a try.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Good narration, meh story

A short story free from Audible, consisting mainly of an 11-year-old girl in a dystopian London who decides she knows better than her parents and subsequently putting all of them in great danger. I loathed the girl, Lalla – I’m not a huge fan of children, and this is a great example of why: “I want to go.” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” “But I want to go!” “No.” Repeat ad infinitum. I once worked for CVS, with its bank of candy bars in front of the registers, and will always remember one father and very young daughter who came in. “Daddy, I want a candy bar.” “No, honey.” “I want a candy bar.” “No.” “But I want one!” “I said no.” “Daddy, I want a candy bar!” “No.” “DADDY, I WANT A CANDY BAR!” “Fine. Which one?” I wanted to punch him in the nose. So I’m well aware that it’s the parents who are at fault in something like this – the CVS dad caved, and the parents in the story didn’t bother to tell Lalla what was obvious to a listener (“The films aren’t real, you’ll be shot, we’ll be shot, stop asking”). But I still despised the girl.

The story might be meaningful to someone who has read the book it prequels; for me it broke no new ground and provided no enjoyment to counter my irritation with the main character. The narration by Melody Grove was quite good – I will keep an eye out for her in the future – but otherwise I’m glad this was free. And brief.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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got it free

I got it free but I would have paid for it was a very interesting short story

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2 people found this helpful

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

No hope

Any additional comments?

This is a short story told from a 12 year ldd point of view and the performer sounds like a 12 year old. The story was OK till the end where it seamed the girl gave up hope and just went with the flow.

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2 people found this helpful

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

wanting more

The narration is well done. The story is interesting but it seems too much is left to the imagination.

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1 person found this helpful

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

An interesting little story.

It was an interesting story, obviously a teaser to introduce you to the character and setting. It was free so I won't knock it, but it wasn't bad. A nice little story to peak your interest in the dystopian future for this little girl and the new world where no food grows, life depends on computer updates and the military is feared. I would possibly be interested in listening to the next story but am not chomping at the bit to see what happens next.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Prequel to The Ship

Lightly Christian, post apocalyptic short prequel to THE SHIP. Free 30 min Audible Plus. London.

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

Short Story of a Dystopian Future

Interesting & actually complete, but not finished or polished, in my opinion, but might be to someone else.

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

if your it fit this it f

the it'd hit it four in fit it if it'd it it if he th during rd floor t th d

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