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Villa in Italy cover art

Villa in Italy

By: Elizabeth Edmondson
Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
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Summary

Marvellously atmospheric tale of strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but nobody knows their benefactress....

Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer’s block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she?

While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden, and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before.

Slowly four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change - and even hope - is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all....

A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two and the personal consequences of living through such a time and a celebration of humankind’s ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

©2006 Elizabeth Edmondson (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Villa in Italy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I thought it was going to be a 'chick-lit' for want of a better phrase to be honest.
It was a very interesting story with lots of unexpected twists and turns.
The narrator was absolutely fantastic, in fact probably one of the best I have listened to on Audible, and I have listened now to probably close to 60 books.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

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53 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • AZ
  • 02-05-17

Beautiful; a love song to life.

Would you listen to Villa in Italy again? Why?

This is a book that will stay with me whether or not I listen again. What makes this story beautiful to me is a deep sense of connection to people and place as it explores who (and what) may touch and shape a life. Set after WW11, the book feels like a love song to living, to friendship, healing and what is beautiful in the world. It is expertly narrated, with every character given their own distinct voice.

A group of very different people gather, beneficiaries to a woman they know nothing about who appears to know everything about them. This mysterious woman has left a request that they live for 33 days in her remote Italian Villa before they find out what they are each to be left. Each of them needs space and time to heal after personal loss or heartache and the discoveries they make about their invisible hostess, each other and themselves redirects each of their lives. They begin to realise that the time given to them may be more precious than the outcome and I think this reflects the nature of the book itself; the journey being just as important as the mysteries at the heart of it.

The characters are well drawn and the sensory delights of the villa and the landscape is well captured. Though the story explores some dark places and difficult emotions it does so with grace and a lightness of touch that left me feeling uplifted and hopeful. This is probably not a book for people who want quick resolutions. The reader, like the characters, must spend time at the villa as the intricate plot unfolds and friendship and romance takes root. I think many will find this a great book to get lost in while on holiday or taking needed time for yourself.

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32 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

enthralling

Couldn''t wait for my installment each evening.. An interesting plot with a excellent reader.

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22 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pleasant easy listening but not lightweight

I was intrigued by the description of the story and decided to try it as I know that if I hated it Audible would let me return it. I am glad that I did. I read a variety of genres some heavy, a lot not and this book fitted right in. It is well-researched and you can learn things without thinking the author wants to educate you or show off her own knowledge. There are several strange twists but none that I didn't find plausible and I never guessed the ending. There are several characters but the narrator was so good I always knew who was speaking. Excellent and enjoyable.

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20 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Quaint slow burner

Nearly gave up near the start, but stuck with it and was quite compelled by the end. It was a little too quaint for my usual taste.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Full of people Mystery and Intrigue

Loved the plot the twists and turns. The narrator was excellent with her ability to bring the charecters to life. The author drew you into the story and the descriptive text made. feel as if I was there watching along side each of the characters.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliantly tangled and absorbing relaxing read.

An intriguing story with great insight into the characters thoughts and feelings brilliantly described. Gripping.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Charming vintage feel

Lovely cast of characters drawn to a villa in Italy upon the death of it's owner. You just know they are all there to turn their lives around - but getting to know both them and the deceased owner remains constantly surprising. Well read with a genuinely 50's feel. I enjoyed it.

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8 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 08-09-15

Good characters but ok story

A good holiday read but not Elizabeth's best works.

Would still recommend as the characters were really brought to life by Nicolette 😊

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to Villa in Italy the most enjoyable?

You could imagine yourself there and the characters were very rounded.

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

Yes and she is a very good narrator

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5 people found this helpful