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All Among the Barley

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All Among the Barley

By: Melissa Harrison
Narrated by: Helen Ayres
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About this listen

Winner of the EU Prize for Literature

The autumn of 1933 is the most beautiful Edie Mather can remember, although the Great War still casts its shadow over the fields and villages around her beloved home, Wych Farm. Constance FitzAllen arrives from London to document fading rural traditions and beliefs. For Edie, who must soon face the unsettling pressures of adulthood, the glamorous and worldly outsider appears to be a godsend. But there is more to the older woman than meets the eye. As harvest time approaches and pressures mount on the entire community, Edie must find a way to trust her instincts and save herself from disaster.

Book of the Year New Statesman, Observer, Irish Times, BBC History Magazine

©2018 Melissa Harrison (P)2018 W. F. Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Village Heartfelt

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece.” (Jon McGregor, author of Reservoir 13)

"Impossible to forget." (The Times)

"Astonishing." (Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
slow burning story, really bought to life by the performance of Helen Ayres. some beautifully drawn characters

Beautiful writing

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Loved the story. I personally prefer more understated reading rather than acting the parts so wasn't hugely keen on the narration style but the book was worth it anyway.

Great book

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The story seemed to have a hidden message, like an untold secret, which was frustrating. One assumes Edith was a witch and had some sort of special powers?

Wonderful accent

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Yes, it made me think. It was dark and mysterious at times, as well as evocative and well-researched. Did I enjoy reading it? No.

Excessively flowery and rather depressing

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I could not get on with the narration. Especially the grating voicing of the characters, who all sounded very stupid or very posh. In the end I bought the actual book and read it myself. It is a lovely, well written read.

Narration style grated

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