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!

Highly Recommended audiobook experience. I normally stick to reading novels but this has been a revelation. Adding in the slick audio cues and music this story becomes a wonderful experience like none other. The story is focuses on Peter MacKenzie who left a town called Lazarus in Australia many years ago. Why he left home and his family to fly to the other side of the world remains a mystery. This mystery unravels as characters grow and come to life before you. I became so engrossed in the story that I found myself standing for long periods in the kitchen forgetting what I was doing. Always a sign of a great story. The soundscape also evolves beautifully and adds an extra dimension to the story. As mentioned the audio cues and music help to build the story before you. This has certainly opened by eyes (and ears) to a new storytelling experience. I will definitely be following this writer for years to come.