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Earthly Joys
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 17 hrs and 45 mins
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Earthly Joys
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Summary
One of The Times’ 25 Best Audiobooks.
A sweeping historical novel from Philippa Gregory, the internationally best-selling author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
A brand-new recording available as an unabridged digital audio edition for the first time.
A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.
As gardener and confidant to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.
Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people, and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.
Critic reviews
"When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league." (Daily Mail)
"A hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book." (Daily Telegraph)
"Vivid and enthralling good gripping stuff." (Sunday Times)
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What listeners say about Earthly Joys
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- eGJ
- 13-01-24
What a joyful book to listen to
Fascinating to hear both the life and works of John Tradescant and the interleaving history of his times. Both those interested in plants and their origins and the tempestuous nobles and royalty will enjoy this. The first Cabinet of Curiosities as well. A feast!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tracy Hardy
- 17-02-24
What an interesting life
would of liked more detail of the politics of the time but that is possibly not what the book was about
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline Rawlins
- 16-11-20
Relaxing read.. Loved it.
Escape into another time. Full of atmosphere and character. Sorry to finish this book but glad there are more in the series. About to start the next one... VIRGIN EARTH.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- clare ord
- 09-08-21
Excellent full of warmth and joy
Any one who reads this cannot help but respect and respond to the story a wonderful book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- angela frances patterson
- 12-01-21
Gardeners Paradise
Any gardener would love this book and the history is fascinating as well, a real insight into what life was like for people in the past.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr Greer
- 21-11-23
Engrossing
Much to my surprise, a novel that places gardening and plants at the centre of the narrative has been a real page turner. Beautifully written
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Faye Ward
- 26-06-22
Beautiful historic garden references and a rambling rose of a story
Certainly not fast-paced, but a beautifully rich story that has nowhere to be any time soon. Loved the luxury of it and learned a little around the history of gardening too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul Craig
- 27-04-19
Wonderful. As good as her usual high standard.
she makes you love all the characters and love gardening. great read. I would highly recommend
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kirstine
- 15-01-21
Enjoyable mix of fact and fiction
This is a new author for me. I was attracted by the subject ,as a keen gardener, to learn more about the life of the famous horticulturist Tradescant the Elder, It's a fascinating story and surprising. I hadn't realized that not only was he a talented garden designer, seeker and breeder of new plants from around the world, but also a soldier commandeered by the Duke of Buckingham to take part in one of the Dukes' reckless military campaigns. The Duke not only employed Tradescant as a gardener but as a general factotum to obey his every wish. I suppose the speculative scenes of homosexual activity between the two are included to spice up the story but I believe there is no historical basis for this other than the devotion of Tradescant to the Duke. Tradescant's life appears to have been dominated by an excessive devotion to his masters to the exclusion of all others, including his family. The wealth and profligacy of the aristocracy and particularly Charles the First and his Queen is sickening seen against the suffering of the ordinary people. It's just surprising it took the populace to so long to get ride of the parasites and even more of a pity that they were re-instated to continue milking the system. I am yet again surprised that the author, a professional historian, should repeatedly refer to the King of 'England' when the crowns were joined in 1603.
All in all this is an absorbing and interesting novel made all the better by the superb dramatization by David Rintoul.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 26-04-22
storyline a little fanciful but we'll put together
a little unbelievable in places but succinct. Performer only seems to have 2 character voices but it's easy enough to follow
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