I have read hundreds of books and absorbed thousands of stories in my time but Lazarus Remembered will always stick out from the crowd. It is a truly unique storytelling experience. 

Written by E.J Harper and containing music from Andy Harper, this creative power couple have created a lasting experience that is unlike anything else. To boil it down this could be called an audiobook with music, but it is so much more. The level of audio detail, sound production and the incredible skill of the narrator who effortlessly switches between accents, genders and ages is marvellous.

I usually listen to music while I read and actually tend to set an album to a book that I think will suit it. This ends up with me attaching the music to the book quite strongly. With Lazarus Remembered this has already been done for you, the music fits perfectly while never feeling intrusive. It filters in and out when needed and adds plenty of emotional depth.

I will be honest in that due to not listening to many audiobooks, I was quite worried about my levels of concentration going into this, but found that the story opens strongly with a hook. Peter left his family and friends in Australia and moved to the UK over twenty years ago without looking back. No letters, no calls. Why? Then out of the blue he gets a phone call:

“Pete, look mate I’m sorry but there’s no easy way to say this. Lydia’s dying.” 

It’s hard not to be drawn in by such words and strong use to character development of Peter early on is very effective in leading you to want to find out what happens next. He’s not a perfect person and neither is anyone else in this story, but their actions are often relatable as are their reactions. 

The plot itself is a labyrinth of time and place. Starting in the present with Peter living in the UK, then jumping back and forth in time to his childhood in Lazarus, Australia. The attention to detail of all the locations is incredible and the range of accents as I mentioned before is staggering. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot here, but it certainly keeps you guessing and wanting to peel away the layers which have made Peter the man he is today.

Ultimately this is a story about family, love and friendship. It’s about connections we make and the memories that go with them. It’s heart warming and terrifying at the same time, that we can love so strongly but also lose it so easily. 

It’s very easy to recommend Lazarus Remembered and it’s a story I will certainly remember for a long time.