Alfred Warner returns after so many years to his native Germany, from which he had left as a prisoner of war during World War II. In Berlin, however, the niece he has never seen and who was supposed to pick him up at the station does not turn up. Instead, he meets Julie, to whom he feels the urge to tell his unusual life story, because Alfred only has six days to live, and he must somehow save his granddaughter, the heir and somewhat victim of a strange phenomenon that 'haunts' members of his family. Between normality and odd occurrences, the narrative unfolds between past and present, with glimpses of history and small events full of meaning. Truly a fine novel.

This was a charming book and I am so pleased to have the opportunity to read it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley. The story was unusual but fascinating and having visited Berlin, I could picture Alfred there at the different times of his life. He is the kind of lovely character I wish I had known at all the stages of his life. I just wish that he should have talked to his young son when it was clear that they were so similar (don't want to give too much away here). The author cleverly interwove the past with modern times and I loved the way that one story went forwards while the other went backwards. I will look forward to reading more of Juliet Conlin's work

There is something educational, captivating and very endearing in listening to an elderly person reflect on the events and experiences they witnessed during their life, especially through eventful times. When the writing is as good as Juliet Conlin’s, you get a front-row view into the life of Alfred Warner. It is a very sentimental and poignant story of reflection, of loss, love and loss, and a family secret and gift Alfred must pass on.

Alfred Warner arrives back in Berlin, Germany after living in the UK since the end of the Second World War. His purpose is to meet his estranged grand-daughter Brynja before he dies. These are the last 6 days of his life and he tells his story to Julie (a stranger) as she befriends and helps him locate his grand-daughter. This is not a spoiler as we pretty much know the finale from the outset. However, what the book presents is the enthralling, and absorbing story of Alfred’s life and how it intertwined and touched on the rise of the Nazi party, the persecution of the Jews, the time spent as a soldier and a PoW in Scotland in WWII.

The events, the family losses and the torments in his life are described in wonderful detail with periods of deep sadness but times of uplifting happiness, and always with the help of something extremely special. Or not! The structure and flows of the story are very interesting from 3 different perspectives: Alfred’s life story is told chronologically which is really well matched with Julie’s perspective as she steps through the 6 days, and finally Brynja’s narrative as she steps back in reverse chronology from 2005.

A great book that is definitely worth a read.

Many thanks to Black & White Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.

A beautiful, hearwarming and sad stiry about how the shades of the past cast shadows on the future, about family secretscand how it's never to late to become what you might have been and seek healing. The book itself felt like a journey, one you were changed at the end of. Really lovely.

What a delightful read! This is wonderfully moving and I finished the novel emotionally invested in the characters. You become engrossed not because of the plot but because you are living alongside these characters. I am always looking for books which my Mum and I can share and this is perfect.

A highly unusual read, full of warmth and cleverly woven multiple voices. Alfred is such a charming character and the story of his life, depicted in such a unique way makes this a very special book, well worth a read.

'The Uncommon Life' hooked me from the opening pages. The vulnerability of an elderly gentleman travelling alone in an unfamiliar place was recorded exceptionally well and endeared me to Alfred immediately. The tale moves back and forth through the twentieth century to build the story of Alfred's life that he needs to recount to his Granddaughter, a woman he has never met yet. Alfred bears witness to the rise of the Nazis, the loss of loved ones, finding love in Britain and living a humble life. Yet his story is uncommon because he has inherited voices. Voices only he can hear, which his mother heard before him. The voices are troubling, distracting and life saving if not ignored. While Alfred embraced the voices, his Granddaughter has been terrorised by them leaving her dependent on medication and suffering the stigma of mental illness.
This book had the feel of 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'. While it had some shocking moments it was also quite gentle in the pace and development of the story. Melancholy, tender and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this and will be recommending it wholeheartedly.

”But if I were in a state of sin, do you think the Voice would come to me?” - Joan of Arc

Alfred Warner is on his way to meet his granddaughter Brynja for the first time, knowing it’s only a matter of time before he won’t have this chance. He has to do this, no matter how difficult it seems to overcome his fears, he must go to her, tell her everything he knows, everything she needs to know, all of his secrets, the family secrets. He already knows his days are numbered.

He arrives at Berlin’s central train station, Hauptbahnhof, where Brynja is supposed to pick him up. He’s waited, been sitting, waiting, hoping she’d arrive soon, which is where and when he meets Julia. Alfred’s talking to his voices, and Julia asks if she can help him. Soon he’s off to the lavatory while this woman who was a stranger moments ago watches his bag for him, and keeps a watch for a young woman, maybe blonde – he can’t recall – who might be looking for him. Julia takes him under her wing for a bit, helping him to get to Brynja.

He really must speak to Brynja, she needs to understand. He really must let her know.

Alfred is a charming, if seemingly befuddled, man approaching 80 years of life lived on this planet, and he has a story to share. After a time, he starts to worry about not being able to share it with Brynja, about not having enough time, and so he feels compelled to share his story with Julia. Just in case.

This story wanders back and forth through time, and place. Alfred has lived a full life, born in Germany, was not much more than a child when Hitler’s presence began to be felt, and eventually fought for the Germans, briefly. He was interred in Scotland at a POW camp, and following all that, he marries, raises his own family, following the end of the war. He leads his life.

His journey through life, his journey with his voices, is at the heart of this story, how it affected him, how it affected those he loved, and hopefully how, in the end, it will help Brynja. In a similar vein to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Alfred is one of those captivating, charming literary characters, but this really is a bit more than just a sweet, if seemingly baffled and bewildered older gentleman on a questionable quest. This covers mental health issues (or people who hear voices of non-living people, depending on your viewpoint), national issues, and international issues. Death: losing parents, losing siblings, losing children… Loss. So much loss in one lifetime – but this is told in such a way that your focus is never really off of Alfred’s quest for long.

Juliet Conlin is a natural at storytelling, if this book is any indication. I was a bit reluctant to read this at first, I loved Ove, I loved Harold Fry, but I didn’t want a retelling of their stories with a new person. Colin really brings us a unique voice and a unique story, a little darkness, a little light, some heartbreaking moments and some heartwarming ones, as well.

Published: 23 Feb 2017

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Black & White Publishing

Beautifully written, moving and elegiac. This is a book that is getting a lot of word of mouth praise - and deservedly so.

I won't ruin it by describing what happens but all I will say is that I read this wonderful description of a life well lived in one mammoth sitting and I was moved and left almost in tears by the time I'd finished.

Please read it. You will not be disappointed.