A Wonderful Story

I so enjoyed this book . Realistic story of life in a Victorian orphanage. So well written and wonderful narration.

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Brilliantly narrated and beautifully written story

It is said that there's an anticlimactic end to this story, and that it could offer more than it did. But sometimes this is the end a story needs to have, and this story was written brilliantly in a way that keeps the reader (or in this case listener) firmly invested into the fortunes -or misfortunes- of Lily, and how her Odyssey might lead her to her salvation or her demise.
Historical accuracy and details of a life that could truly have existed at some point, of a girl that perhaps did exist, are woven into a story with the steady surety of a master of her craft that is Rose Tremain.
There might be some imperfections, some question left partially unanswered, but there's a flow so natural, so real as we dwell into the thoughts and feelings of the young girl, sharing her sorrows, and longing for her wishes, hearing her thoughts and understanding her confusions, that all render these little imperfections a part of life as easily accepted as a little cloud on a clear sky.

As for the narrator, I don't think there could have been a better choice. Hattie Morahan (which I remembered from Beauty & the Beast live-action remake) breathes life into the pages and perfectly captures Lily as well as the other characters.

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Enjoyable beautifully written

Really enjoyed listening and superbly read. Rather melodramatic with very colourful characters - more penny dreadful than Dickens but I was quite hooked throughout and sad to say farewell to the cast of characters at the end. Will tug your heart strings.

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1 person found this helpful

Rose Tremain’s standards remain high

I loved this most recent book, written with the utmost sympathy for the poverty and disgrace of Victorian London. The narration is perfectly in tune with the story and illuminates Lily’s thought processes and motivations.

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captivating

I loved this book had me hooked from start to finish Rose Tremain good work

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Beautiful

Such an amazing story, with intense descriptions that evoke vivid images that really transports you into lilys world.
Lilly’s childhood really tugs at your heart strings. Loved it

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Lovely

An enjoyable read. Interesting reading of Lily and her journey through life. What she learned to trust and no; ultimately relying on herself.

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Outstanding performance. A Tale that resonates.

Well thought through plot and storyline. Deep and Realistic Characters. Gripping and extremely emotional, had me weeping and proclaiming I couldn't listen anymore, but I couldn't stop listening till the end.

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2 people found this helpful

Horrendous Child Abuse

This was a great story as ever by Rose Tremain but the levels of abuse heaped on poor Lily are hard to deal with. A very grim tale and I felt that the abuse and cruelty went too far. It was a good story that did not need the dreadful never ending misery to get the point across.

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1 person found this helpful

Exceeded my Expectations

I picked this on a whim. Think it was in the sale. I actually was very pleasantly surprised that this was well written and well narrated. I found myself quite hooked on the story and the imaginative descriptions too.. Well worth a listen

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