A Beautiful Love Story

I've just listened to this for the second time and I if anything, I enjoyed it more than the first time around.

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My Dear I wanted to tell you

If you could sum up My Dear I Wanted to Tell You in three words, what would they be?

Historical WW1 fiction

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Dear I Wanted to Tell You?

Right at the very end when it all sorted out :)

What does Dan Stevens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He has an excellent voice for 'period' listens.

Somehow without silly voices you can 'hear' the different character's voices much as I do in my own head when reading.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I almost did as I was decorating a room ;) It really helped me get on with the work in good time.

Any additional comments?

This book IS historical, also a romance almost, but nothing like chick-lit which I really do tend to avoid at all costs! It was recommended to me by a slightly older man who I have a lot of respect for so may appeal to men as well as women.

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Skin deep

Where does My Dear I Wanted to Tell You rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I judge my audiobooks by whether I would listen to the story a second time.

The title - My dear. I wanted to tell you, had me at my dear.

What other book might you compare My Dear I Wanted to Tell You to, and why?

This book belong to the rainy/romantic/emotional afternoon which everywomen enjoys at least once a week.

Which character – as performed by Dan Stevens – was your favourite?

The author presented two aspect of plastic surgery in the early 19th century. One to enhance the appearance in comparison to the second by improving Riley's physical function. I found I wanted to research this further. What a long way we have come in this field.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found the narrator performance comforting and sympathetic to the essence of the story.
Would listen too again.

Any additional comments?

I have already listened to this book twice.

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Very engrossing tale

What other book might you compare My Dear I Wanted to Tell You to, and why?

Reminiscent of Birdsong and The Night Watch by Sarah Waters, a very strong character led narrative made this gripping from start to finish.

What about Dan Stevens’s performance did you like?

Dan Stevens is a very clear and easy to listen to narrator, he did a great job of bringing the author's somewhat unusual use of short, clipped sentences to life.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Gripping tale of love amidst the horrors and aftermath of WW1

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Compelling

I thought this would be a soppy romance, but it turned out to be better-written and more in-depth than I expected. Covers an interesting aspect of WWI history and doesn't go in the direction you'd expect. Well-read by Dan Stevens - enjoyed this very much.

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Good book

This is a very good book and i recommend this book to everyone ...and a very good narrator who depicts the story very well.

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Excellent book

I struggle with audio books and stop listening to most of them because they're dull or the narrator's voice isn't right. I get really irritated at the voices and tones and if the emphasis is all wrong. This book, though, is fabulous and I'm glad I've found Dan Stevens, the narrator, with his wonderful expressive, posh Radio 4 voice. I will be listening to all of the books he's narrated.

The story is engrossing and well written. It's the first book I've enjoyed since The Help.

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1 person found this helpful

Outstanding

This was one of my first audible downloads which I got on a whim and I'm so glad I did. When I finished listening to it I gave it a round of applause. I definitely think it was helped by the narrator, Dan Stevens, who really brought it to life so vividly that I cried so many tears throughout, but also learned a lot. I cannot think that there is a better way to read this book. Highly recommended by me.

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Hair -raisingly good

I had trouble listening to this book because it was so graphic and pulled no punches but it was worth it. Not for the squeamish!

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An exceptional book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an outstanding story, You are transported back in time, the cast of characters are rich and well written, likeable and you can't help but care about them. The war time scenes are of course harrowing in their accuracy but it is the best story of it's era I have ever read / listened to.

What did you like best about this story?

It's honesty and the depth of each character, it is precise and exceptionally well written, it does not waffle and is not over long. I found myself unable to stop listening, it kept me gripped from start to finish.

Have you listened to any of Dan Stevens’s other performances? How does this one compare?

After listening to this story I downloaded the sequel. Dan Stevens is a wonderful narrator, he brought each character vividly to life in my minds eye, I would go as far as to say he is the best audible narrator in my library.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are of course very few laughs in this book, I did shed a tear at the loss and trauma sustained by what was an innocent and naive generation, on the cusp of huge social and developmental change.

Any additional comments?

This is an evocative, emotional roller coaster of a book, exceptionally well written and edited which will move and stay with you long after you have finished listening.

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