Listen to a sample
A Far-flung Life
- Author
- M L Stedman
- Narrator
- Lewis Fitz-Gerald
- Publisher
- Transworld
- Publish Date
- 5 March 2026
- Run Time
- 13 hours 41 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*
The mesmeric new novel from the author of the award-winning global bestseller, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS
Outback Western Australia, 1958: for generations, the MacBrides have lived on a remote sheep station, Meredith Downs. A million arid acres, it’s an ocean of land, where the weather is a capricious god, and time still roams untamed.
One ordinary day, on a lonely road, under the unending blue sky, patriarch Phil MacBride swerves to avoid a kangaroo. In seconds the lives of the entire MacBride family are shattered. Then, instead of leaving wounds to heal, Fate comes for them yet again, in a twist of consequences that will cause one of them to lose their life, and another to sacrifice theirs for the sake of an innocent child. Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional journey for which there is no map, no guide, as he is forced to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness.
A tale of family and belonging, of compassion and hope, A Far-flung Life is about people trying to do their best, each, for private reasons, seeking shelter from the storm of life. Exploring the lives of a handful of isolated souls and the secrets they shield in order to survive, this epic novel stands as a testament to the enduring power of love.
‘This is a book I couldn’t stop listening to. The narrator was superb with the various voices of the characters. The story is mesmerising’ 5 stars, audiobook reviewer.
‘Utterly glorious. I have so much love for these characters. A truly brilliant novel’ FLORENCE KNAPP, author of The Names
'Stedman mixes big emotions with beautiful writing to intoxicating effect' Good Housekeeping Book of the Month
© M L Stedman 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Critics Review
-
Utterly glorious. I have so much love for these characters - I felt their regrets, yet just as deeply, Stedman’s compassion. A truly brilliant novel.
FLORENCE KNAPP, author of THE NAMES
-
Masterful. A remarkable poignant tale
GUARDIAN
-
Heart-wrenching and beautifully set. A gorgeous feast of a novel about family, community, love and the lengths we will go to save them all.
RACHEL JOYCE, author of THE HOMEMADE GOD
-
A big, bold story of resilience and hope. I was completely swept away.
BONNIE GARMUS, author of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
A world, a story, and a cast of characters I truly lost myself in. So much so I slowed down my reading of it, as I never wanted it to end. A Far-flung Life is a rare jewel of a novel and one I will never forget
JENNIE GODFREY, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS
-
Truly a masterpiece. I loved the very bones of it
JOANNA CANNON
-
Epic, intimate and aching. A novel that carries its secrets in hidden places, burying its wounds in the vast, empty landscape of Western Australia and in the broken hearts of its characters. I loved it.
MIRANDA COWLEY HELLER, author of THE PAPER PALACE
-
Mesmerising and unforgettable, this sweeping novel aches with life’s impossible choices, thrums with love and pain, and imprints itself on your heart. I loved it.
JOANNA GLEN, author of ALL MY MOTHERS
-
One of those books that fill the soul. I couldn’t put it down. What an incredible story, as vast and starkly beautiful as the unforgiving terrain of its setting, and filled with light and love.'
DONAL RYAN, author of HEART, BE AT PEACE
-
Like the heartrending The Light Between Oceans, the MacBrides' story interrogates ideas of right and wrong in specific and complicated cases, and the experience of humans writ small against a vast landscape... Heartbreaking and painfully beautiful, A Far-flung Life will haunt and comfort long past its final page.
SHELF AWARENESS
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- M L Stedman
- Narrator
- Lewis Fitz-Gerald
- Duration
- 13 hours 41 minutes
- Release Date
- 5 March 2026
- ISBN
- 9781529968408
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Transworld
- Genre
- Family saga / generational saga fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Narrative theme: sense of place
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin.*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*The mesmeric new novel from the author of the award-winning global bestseller, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANSOutback Western Australia, 1958: for generations, the MacBrides have lived on a remote sheep station, Meredith Downs. A million arid acres, it’s an ocean of land, where the weather is a capricious god, and time still roams untamed.One ordinary day, on a lonely road, under the unending blue sky, patriarch Phil MacBride swerves to avoid a kangaroo. In seconds the lives of the entire MacBride family are shattered. Then, instead of leaving wounds to heal, Fate comes for them yet again, in a twist of consequences that will cause one of them to lose their life, and another to sacrifice theirs for the sake of an innocent child. Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional journey for which there is no map, no guide, as he is forced to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness.A tale of family and belonging, of compassion and hope, A Far-flung Life is about people trying to do their best, each, for private reasons, seeking shelter from the storm of life. Exploring the lives of a handful of isolated souls and the secrets they shield in order to survive, this epic novel stands as a testament to the enduring power of love.‘This is a book I couldn’t stop listening to. The narrator was superb with the various voices of the characters. The story is mesmerising’ 5 stars, audiobook reviewer.‘Utterly glorious. I have so much love for these characters. A truly brilliant novel’ FLORENCE KNAPP, author of The Names'Stedman mixes big emotions with beautiful writing to intoxicating effect' Good Housekeeping Book of the Month© M L Stedman 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.