So Much Life Left Over

Dec 29, 2025 7:41 PM

Author:Louis de Bernières

Random House presents the audiobook edition of So Much Life Left Over by Louis de Bernières.

A sweeping, heartbreaking novel following Daniel in his troubled marriage with Rosie as they navigate the unsettled time between the World Wars.

Rosie and Daniel have moved to Ceylon with their little daughter to start a new life at the dawn of the 1920s, attempting to put the trauma of the First World War behind them, and to rekindle a marriage that gets colder every day. However, even in the lush plantation hills it is hard for them to escape the ties of home and the yearning for fulfilment that threatens their marriage.

Back in England, Rosie's three sisters are dealing with different challenges in their searches for family, purpose and happiness. These are precarious times, and they find themselves using unconventional means to achieve their desires. Around them the world is changing, and when Daniel finds himself in Germany he witnesses events taking a dark and forbidding turn.

By turns humorous and tragic, gripping and touching, So Much Life Left Over follows a cast of unique and captivating characters as they navigate the extraordinary interwar years both in England and abroad.

Reviews

A wonderful… vividly peopled novel… De Bernières is a generous storyteller

—— Violet Hudson , Daily Telegraph

De Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice

—— Mail on Sunday

Richly enjoyable...Written with such vitality...many readers will read it straight through forgetting whatever it was they should have been doing instead of reading

—— Scotsman

This tragicomic romp has a winning glint in its eye, delivering oodles of
Downton-esque entertainment as it portrays a changing Britain poised uneasily on the brink of modernity

—— Mail on Sunday

A breathless, often heart-tugging tale of love, loss, guilt and regret

—— Sunday Express

This book made me laugh, made me mad, made me cry

—— Rose Shepherd , Saga

‘[de Bernieres] balances humour and tragedy in a novel that succeeds largely because Daniel is such a compelling and sympathetic character

—— Vanessa Berridge , Daily Express

de Bernieres achieves a kaleidoscope effect in his narrative… So Much Life Left Over is an immersive pleasure

—— Russell Leadbetter , Herald

Richly enjoyable…it is written with such vitality….I would guess that many readers, once they have launched themselves into it, will read it straight through

—— Allan Massie , Scotsman

An engaging family saga

—— Jane Shilling , Daily Mail

All These Beautiful Strangers was a wonderful, gripping read - a YA The Secret History that captivated me and at one point made me seriously consider missing my train stop so I could get to the end of a chapter. I will be recommending it to everyone

—— Emily Barr, author of The One Memory of Flora Banks, shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2018

A gripping thriller where secrets of the past and present stir in the shadows. I was drawn in from the start and couldn't wait to discover the truth. A real page-turner!

—— Kate Ormand, author of The Wanderers

Wealth, power and danger - All These Beautiful Strangers has it all. If you like your books twisty and dangerous, then meet your new obsession

—— Maggie Harcourt, author of Unconventional

A creepy, atmospheric American murder mystery that made me think of The Secret History - I can't wait for everyone to read it when it comes out

—— Robin Stevens, award-winning author of Murder Most Unladylike Series

A page-turning debut that will keep readers guessing until the end. Readers of Liane Moriarty and psychological thrillers will not want to put this down

—— Library Journal

S.T.A.G.S meets The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Bankes in this high society thriller. Joining a secret society at her upper class boarding school leads Charlie to discover old family secrets that were better left at peace.

—— Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

An emotional and heart racing thriller that I believe will find a huge international audience

—— Bruna Papandrea, Made up Stories (Producer of Wild, Gone Girl, Big Little Lies)

Finally a book that has had me gripped to keep reading and filled the hole that One Of Us Is Lying left me with!

—— Waterstones Bromley

You will be thrown into a world of suspense and secrecy that you will not want to leave

—— The BookBag

Twisty and turny, full of mystery and intrigue and beautiful people doing horrible things, All These Beautiful Strangers was a psychological thriller that I just could not put down!

—— Book Addicted

Long and twisted so prepare for a binge read

—— Read by Jess

A real page turner. You will not be able to put down this book that is filled with suspense, drama and so much more!

—— Words from a Reader

I recommend picking it up if you're a fan of YA mystery/thrillers

—— This Booky Place

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