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Birdcage Walk

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About this listen

It is 1792 and Europe is seized by political turmoil and violence. Lizzie Fawkes has grown up in radical circles where each step of the French Revolution is followed with eager idealism. But she has recently married John Diner Tredevant, a property developer who is heavily invested in Bristol's housing boom, and he has everything to lose from social upheaval and the prospect of war. Soon his plans for a magnificent terrace built above the 200-foot drop of the gorge come under threat. Diner believes that Lizzie's independent, questioning spirit must be coerced and subdued. She belongs to him: law and custom confirm it, and she must live as he wants. In a tense drama of public and private violence, resistance and terror, Diner's passion for Lizzie darkens until she finds herself dangerously alone.

©2017 Helen Dunmore (P)2017 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Scary

Critic reviews

"Hers are expert hands at turning history into gripping fiction." ( The Times)
"Helen Dunmore...is a poet as well as a novelist, who is celebrated for her delicate language and acute observations." ( Sunday Times)
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Enjoyed this book very much. Set during an interesting time historically, I learned a lot and it really made me think about how people's achievements etc. can disappear after they die... this became particularly poignant after I'd finished the book and discovered that the author died recently and was seriously ill while writing the book (even though she didn't know at the time).
I really warmed to the characters and was worried sick throughout that something terrible would happen to Lizzie.. The depiction of what nowadays would probably have been considered gaslightling was very well done and I found it quite menacing.
The performance overall was good, however there were moments where I found the reading slightly grating - usually when reading the name 'Lizzie' in a slightly over-exasperated tone. Could just be me though!
A recommended read for sure.

Wonderful story and characters

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Although I don’t think this book is as good as the author’s previous books, Siege or Betrayal, it is worth listening to. My misgivings are over the separate themes that run through the narrative and that don’t satisfactorily gel together. We learn of the controlling and abusive marriage between Lizzie Fawkes and her husband, John Diner, Tredevant a Bristol building speculator with a dark past; of Lizzie’s radical, feminist mother and the latter’s second marriage to a English supporter of the French revolution. Simmering in the background is the ever increasing violence of the French revolution and the execution of the King. It’s a book full of descriptions and side issues that slows the narrative. I had heard a much abridged version of the book on the BBC’s Book at Bedtime which, by trimming much of the details, ended up with a more coherent and pacy story.

The narrator is very good.

Not as good as other books by the author

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Kept me interested and made me want to know more about that time in history. Felt the description of the times was very well done

Interesting with great characterisation

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An interesting story which has many parallels with the modern world. Beautifully narrated. Helen Dunmore is a sad loss to the literary world.

Excellent

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A very detailed gripping story, that made the seventeen hundreds come vividly to life. I also loved Helen's journey finding and creating the characters and times.

Wonderful

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