• Backpack

  • By: Emily Barr
  • Narrated by: Emma Fenney
  • Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Release date: 09-16-14
  • Language: English
  • Publisher: Audible Studios
  • 4 out of 5 stars 4.2 (87 ratings)

Regular price: $26.64

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Publisher's Summary

The wonderful first novel from the critically acclaimed author of The Sleeper and The Sisterhood.
It's New Year's Day and the year isn't kicking off well for Tansy: her mother's dead, she's a cocaine addict and her boyfriend has just left her. A trip around the world seems like the only option except that she's not interested in seeing the world, just escaping from it, and the last people she wants to hang out with are backpackers.
Like a lot of travellers on the Lonely-Planet-led Asian Grand Tour, Tansy is intensely irritating at first. Always on the look out for the "real" Vietnam--the one in which she can walk around "like a model, fanning myself gently, strolling into ancient temples and learning about inner peace"--she is opinionated, narrow-minded and remarkably naive (for a supposed media luvvy). Once she has shrugged off her addiction to lines of coke, skinny lattes and Nicole Fahri jumpers, she becomes more appealing. So by the time she's fallen for Max, a fellow traveller, she'll have won you over and you'll be just as worried as she is about the serial killer who appears to be on her trail.
Emily Barr has written columns and travel pieces for the Observer and the Guardian for several years, and her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed. She lives in Cornwall with her husband and three children.
©2001 Emily Barr (P)2014 Audible Studios
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By Amazon Customer on 09-27-14

LOved the Narration

Where does Backpack rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

While I was not sure in the beginning if I wanted to continue, the narration by Emmy Fenney was Brilliant!! I became totally absorbed by Tanzey and her adventure while not wholly believable it was storytelling at its best, I laughed at times and shrugged at times but what kept me going was the voice of both the author and the narrator, Loved it because of her narration, she is terrific and should narrate more books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Backpack?

Tanzey's growing awareness of herself as an independent person, not the daughter, not the girlfriend, not the party girl but her inner self being comfortable with herself, I think there are a lot of lessons in the book for young people.

What does Emma Fenney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice is Great, I cannot believe there is not another book she has narrated, she showed range, depth, phrasing and she kept me coming back to it, Do More books!!!

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5 of 5 people found this review helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By judyp on 01-20-17

Discovered Emily Barr

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Although the narrative is a bit rapid, the storyline is amusing and entertaining.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This is an interesting story from a developing writer. It is one of her first books.

Have you listened to any of Emma Fenney’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First listening to Fenney.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

An excellent travel lit. with some very personal touches and good dry humor.

Any additional comments?

So happy to have discovered Emily Barr. Her stories, especially "The Sleeper" have something for everyone. Her writing is entertaining in every way. Also, a sure listen/read for lovers of British writing and narration. "The Perfect Lie" is also wonderful travel lit. (Venice).

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
4 out of 5 stars
By Stepping On on 01-20-17

fantastic visuals and a good plot

really excellent in terms of conjuring up images of all the amazing places Tansy visits. she is such an unlikeable character in the beginning but the author and narrator are very successful in making you want to stick with her. The serial killer storyline almost feels irrelevant as Tansy's personal journey is more than interesting enough but it is well executed regardless. Only wish the ending was a little less abrupt!

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

4 out of 5 stars
By MRS V L HALL on 12-02-15

A solid 4 star listen - enjoyable.

What did you like most about Backpack?

For me, it was hearing about Tansy as she travelled the world. In essence she is seeking an escape from her life in the UK and the fact that she is not the stereotypical travelling kind of person ensured this captured her cynicism perfectly! Lightly humorous and good expression in the narrators voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Backpack?

The backpack travels were told with subtle humour and I found the moments when Tansy encountered over travellers kept this story feeling fresh.

Which character – as performed by Emma Fenney – was your favourite?

Tansy - without a doubt. This is her story and I loved seeing how much she changed over the course of her travels.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No probably not. I listened to this over several days and it was great to get little chunks of the backpack experience.

Any additional comments?

A solid narration of a very good book. A solid 4 star - perhaps not setting the world alight but a really great story to get into and some nice moments of humour.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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