• How to Stop Time

  • By: Matt Haig
  • Narrated by: Mark Meadows
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (223 ratings)

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How to Stop Time  By  cover art

How to Stop Time

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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Publisher's summary

The Sunday Times top 10 best seller from the author of The Midnight Library and The Humans

HOW MANY LIFETIMES DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE?

Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old history teacher, but he’s been alive for centuries. From Elizabethan England to Jazz-Age Paris, from New York to the South Seas, Tom has seen it all. As long as he keeps changing his identity, he can stay one step ahead of his past – and stay alive. The only thing he must not do is fall in love.

But what if the one thing he can't have just happens to be the one thing that might save him?

©2017 Matt Haig (P)2017 Canongate

Critic reviews

"A rollicking time-hopping fantasy... How to Stop Time will provoke wonder and delight." (Observer)
"Hugely entertaining." (John Boyne, Irish Times)
"Outlandish...heartwarming, perceptive prose." (Anita Sethi, Daily Telegraph)
"A rollicking time-hopping fantasy... How to Stop Time will provoke wonder and delight." (Observer)
"Hugely entertaining." (John Boyne, Irish Times)
"Outlandish...heartwarming, perceptive prose." (Anita Sethi, Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about How to Stop Time

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great idea but too much drama

although the subject and idea for this book is an interesting concept, the main character seems to be troubled all the time, unable to find contentment or happiness.
it's too much, exaggerated and enerving at times.

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

Would make a better movie

It's a good idea, just a bit too slow and lacks a danger aspect you would expect from a secret society. As a movie it would probably move faster.

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

Love his stories

Really interesting concept and a great story. Brings the times (historical and now) to life

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

Concept

I enjoyed the concept and the way the story unfolded between time periods… it has a melancholic mood.

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

Thought Provoking - great pace

Really enjoyed this book I found it thought provoking, with a great pace. Love & Live with no fear afterwards.... well try at least!
Thanks Matt Haig

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

Beautiful story; amazing reading

I’ve been a fan of Matt Haig’s for quite a while. This book blew me away. Such a compelling story, read by an amazing actor. This is a must-listen!!

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

I loved The Humans but not this one.

I bought this book because The Humans was one of my all-time favorites. When I saw that this book had the same narrator and the same author, I figured I couldn't go wrong. But I did go wrong.

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

Original story keeps you hooked and guessing what next

Great original idea and entertaining read. I found the ending a bit rushed but perhaps I was just wanting more!

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

Loved it

A most interesting read. Loved it. The narrator really brought the book to life. Well done.

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

Antidote to despair wrapped in a great story

Matt Haig is an artist. As such, he has a keen insight into the situation of being human. He suffers along with all of us--thinks and feels deeply about our common pains and delights. I don't know him personally, but his writing is shot through with evidence that these things are true.

Somehow, though, this depth doesn't stop him from writing stories full of humor, mystery, suspense, and love. They are paradoxes, these tales of his. Light and heavy. Calculated and warm. Philosophical but made buoyant with whimsy.

How to Stop Time is another triumph for the art of storytelling and for the hopeful pursuit of living.

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