The Heart's Invisible Furies: The unforgettable novel from the bestselling author

· Transworld Digital · Narrated by Stephen Hogan
17 reviews
Audiobook
21 hr 20 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook

'Compelling and satisfying... At times, incredibly funny, at others, heartrending' Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit

Cyril Avery is not a real Avery or at least that’s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn’t a real Avery, then who is he?

Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead.

At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from – and over his three score years and ten, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country and much more.

In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.
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Readers love the next book by John Boyne, A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom, out 23 July 2020

***** ‘Very unique, very well written and crafted ... a journey you will never forget.’
***** ‘It’s structure is like nothing I have seen before ... the rewards on reading it are immense.’
***** ‘An extraordinary book...beautifully and intelligently written, timeless and insightful.’
***** ‘This is an imaginative tour de force.’
***** ‘Ambitious and breathtakingly evocative ... takes your breath away.’
***** ‘A masterpiece... I can’t praise this book enough; had me gripped from the first page. Sublime!’

'Compelling and satisfying... At times, incredibly funny, at others, heartrending' Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit Cyril Avery is not a real Avery or at least that’s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn’t a real Avery, then who is he? Born out of...

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Ratings and reviews

17 reviews
HEIN Botha
April 11, 2026
The book touched me deeply. It reminded me of my younger self and took me on a journey through life, love, and self-discovery. It beautifully captures the complexity of relationships, the confusion that can come with trying to live a life that doesn’t fully align with who you are, and the courage it takes to choose authenticity. What stood out most to me was the way it reflects how certain relationships can evolve rather than end , shifting into something different, yet still meaningful and grounded in respect and understanding. It’s a powerful reminder that love can take many forms, and that growth often comes with difficult but necessary choices. It’s heartfelt and moving. I found myself with a few tears along the way. I would highly recommend it to anyone navigating their own path toward inner peace and self-acceptance.
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Maury
June 26, 2026
the narrator takes you on a journey through the history of Cyril's life intertwined with real events from history which helps immerse you in this journey from Ireland, Amsterdam, the USA and back to Ireland. traumatic at times but with lighter moments providing balance just like real life, proving it is the journey and not the destination that really matters.
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Violet
September 20, 2025
I loved this book. Great story and brilliant dialogue. Excellent narration.
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About the author

John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, five for young readers and a collection of short stories. Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, John’s other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Loneliness, have been widely praised and are international bestsellers. Most recently, The Heart's Invisible Furies was a Richard & Judy Bookclub word-of-mouth bestseller.

His novels are published in over fifty languages.

John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, five for young readers and a collection of short stories. Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, John’s other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Lon...

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Narrated by Stephen Hogan