The Red Necklace: The French Revolution, Book 1

Tom Hiddleston has the most wonderful voice for audio (and the talent / looks for so many other things) - I long to hear he's recorded more than just this rather good tale of the Revolution. Much, much appreciated ..!!

I will admit that the reason I bought this book was to have Tom Hiddleston whispering in my ear. However, saying that I have listend to this version of the book twice as I actually got really into the characters and the story. There are times when you can tell this this is an abridged version as the story seems to 'jump' and the flow is lost. Characters are well thought out and from what I know about this location and period in history the author has done some good research to place the characters and story in the correct context. I have added the unabridged version of this book and book 2 to my wish list so I can find out what happens next, even if the velvet tones of Mr Hiddleston are not caressing my ears.

This is wonderful!! I'll be honest I bought this purely based upon the fact that the audio version is read by the delectable Tom Hiddleston and boy does he make it entertaining! His wonderful and varied accents breathe such life into the characters.
The story itself is beautifully written, not knowing a great deal about the French revolution myself, Sally Gardner lets you almost taste history with her wonderful descriptions and colourful cast of characters.
I have such fondness for Yann and Sido and their respective path in and out of each other’s lives. Tetu is the kind of guardian you could almost wish for and both the marquis and dastardly Kalliovski are interesting and scary in different ways.
Perfection!!!

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and kept me in suspense but the credit is largly down to Mr Hidleston's voice. I was hooked from the moment he read the title and like the reviewer before said it is a shame there is not more on her read by him.

I have to confess that I bought this solely for the pleasure of Tom Hiddleston's dulcet tones alleviating the tedium of this years lambing.

It took me a few attempts to get into and the magic is a little far fetched but I found myself hooked and wanting to know what happens in Book 2.

In the hands of a less able narrator however, it would probably not have been so enjoyable. Mr H gets full marks.