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  • The Cornish House

  • By: Liz Fenwick
  • Narrated by: Anne Dover
  • Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (333 ratings)
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The Cornish House cover art

The Cornish House

By: Liz Fenwick
Narrated by: Anne Dover
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Summary

When artist Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall shortly after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter, Hannah, desperately need. Trevenen is beautiful but neglected, a rambling house steeped in history. Maddie is enchanted by it and determined to learn as much as she can about its past. As she discovers the stories of generations of women who've lived there before, Maddie begins to feel her life is somehow intertwined within its walls.

But Maddie's dream of a calm life in the countryside is far from the reality she faces. Still struggling with her grief and battling with Hannah, Maddie is unable to find inspiration for her painting and realises she may face the prospect of having to sell Trevenen, just as she is coming to love it. And as Maddie and Hannah pull at the seams of Trevenen's past, the house reveals secrets that have lain hidden for generations. This gorgeously sweeping debut from Liz Fenwick is touched with romance and mystery, a perfect summer listen.

Read by Anne Dover. Anne Dover has recorded many audiobooks as well as appearing in TV and radio commercials and listeners in the northeast will remember her Saturday night record show for Metro Radio in the late 1970s. Her TV appearances include Emmerdale Farm, Book Tower, Brideshead Revisited and A Kind of Loving.

©2012 Liz Fenwick (P)2012 Isis Publishing and the Orion Publishing Group

What listeners say about The Cornish House

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Pretty dire chic-lit

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who is looking for an easy read, who likes a bit of romantic escapism and who isn't looking for any in-depth connection with the characters or any major/ exciting plot developments.

What was most disappointing about Liz Fenwick’s story?

Slow-moving plot where nothing of significance really happens. Stereotypical characters like the sulky teenager, cheery neighbour, hunky guy, etc.. There was nothing about the central character one could connect with - we didn't really get inside her head. Also, too much stuff 'just happening' in a soap-opera kind of way - e.g. woman inherits massive mansion in Cornwall from distant relative; friendly new neighbour comes round to help on day 1, electrician turns up to fix things at less than a day's notice ... just an over-romanticised view of 'country life', an unrealistic plot and unlikely set of events. Very cliched use of stock phrases which just made it come across like Mills & Boon or something you'd read in a woman's magazine

Did Anne Dover do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?

She did an OK job. She has a nice voice and she managed to distinguish the voices of the adult characters without sounding too strained, but her impersonation of the irritating 'whatever'; 'this sucks' teenager was embarrassing

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Just really disappointed. I was expecting an engrossing read and this book did not engage me or want me to continue beyond the first few chapters

Any additional comments?

I was looking forward to this book and I just wish I'd been in a position to give a more positive review than this

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

relaxing holiday read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cornish House to be better than the print version?

The audio version was easy listening and relaxing, a good holiday read and just the right length.

What about Anne Dover’s performance did you like?

Anne Dover's performance was excellent, her voice is quietly soothing but she uses inflections and accents to highlight her characters making them easily identifiable.

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

an escape into a Cornish dream

Any additional comments?

overall great book, good storyline and enjoyable, recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Nice Read

I found this book nice and very easy read,I was able to see myself living there. it was read very well,and kept me wonting to not stop reading this book

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A little let down by that grumpy teen

The Cornish House seemed at first very promising, and while I got through the book ok, thanks to a brilliant narrator, I felt there were many holes and cul-de-sacs throughout the story. Ok, I understand teens can be menacing, frustrating, annoying critters with only regard for themselves, but such young adults don't suddenly become over the moon fond of old, retired men in the village, no matter how helpful they are with fixing objects in disrepair…
And the ghost…I just didn't get the ghost part. Either it is there, or its not. And if it is, I think it ought to have had a major role, not just being something to serve as cake fill. Take out the ghost, and the story will still be there, perhaps just a couple of pages shorter.
The book is ok if your expectations aren't too high, but I won't be listening to it again, to put it that way.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable

This is a tale of an unbelievably tolerant and forgiving woman and is totally predicatable. This didn't stop me enjoying the book as an escape to another place on a long and boring car journey, but with an unbelievably stupid and niaive main character it was never going to reach the heights of a great read!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. The story was really interesting, very descriptive so I felt I was really there. The story was good and interesting. Very well read as well.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Didn't want it to finish!

Would you listen to The Cornish House again? Why?

No…it was brilliant but I always remember a book so new one next time

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hannah was horrible but I think my favourite character was Maddie, closely followed by OT.

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

No, first time

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

Probably, yes

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this..made me laugh and cry!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great reading

If you could sum up The Cornish House in three words, what would they be?

Compelling thought provoking, descriptive

What other book might you compare The Cornish House to, and why?

The Marriage Bed, because it drew me in and I really got the feel of the house.

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

Yes. Anne Dover is an excellent and vibrant narrator.

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

What secrets can do

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely Story

Where does The Cornish House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My wife really enjoyed this, she hadn't read anything by Liz Fenwick before but from the beginning she knew she was going to enjoy it. The narrator was very easy on the ears! It was a book she could listen to in sections while busy doing other things, i.e. cooking, sewing etc.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

.

Loved it look forward to the sequel . Thoroughly enjoyed this talking book. Excellent

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