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Blackberry and Wild Rose
- A gripping and emotional read
- Narrated by: Heather Long, Beth Eyre
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
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Blackberry and Wild Rose
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Summary
For fans of Jessie Burton and Tracy Chevalier, a rich historical debut set among the Huguenot silk weavers of Spitalfields in the late 18th century.
WHEN ESTHER THOREL, the wife of a Huguenot silk-weaver, rescues Sara Kemp from a brothel she thinks she is doing God's will. Sara is not convinced being a maid is better than being a whore, but the chance to escape her grasping 'madam' is too good to refuse.
INSIDE THE THORELS' tall house in Spitalfields, where the strange cadence of the looms fills the attic, the two women forge an uneasy relationship. The physical intimacies of washing and dressing belie the reality: Sara despises her mistress's blindness to the hypocrisy of her household, while Esther is too wrapped up in her own secrets to see Sara as anything more than another charitable cause.
IT IS SILK that has Esther so distracted. For years she has painted her own designs, dreaming that one day her husband will weave them into reality. When he laughs at her ambition, she unwittingly sets in motion events that will change the fate of the whole Thorel household and set the scene for a devastating day of reckoning between her and Sara.
THE PRICE OF a piece of silk may prove more than either is able to pay.
Critic reviews
"Sumptuous and moving." (Laura Purcell, author of The Silent Companions)
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What listeners say about Blackberry and Wild Rose
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- R Jain
- 11-05-21
Beautifully written and performed, sad character building
There is only one fault I find in this, but that taints the rest of the work quite a bit. This is the kind of story where everyone except for the lead is just pure evil for no reason other than to further the woe-is-me plot. Yes, the world’s a hard place and was even harder in the 18th century. But people aren’t disney villains.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. A. Sweet
- 29-08-21
gripping story from beginning to end
I really enjoyed this story and could not have predicted the ending. I loved the raw emotions and the contrast between masters and their servants. I may have even learned a little about the art of weaving silk
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- PollyPops
- 26-01-21
transported back in time
I really enjoyed this book. it took a little while to get into all the characters but when I did it was hard to stop listening. I loved hearing the two narrators, it seemed to bring the book to life even more.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Clare0116
- 02-03-21
Journey back in time to old London
A cast of characters tell a fine story of the poor and prosperous people of London's Hugeunot silk weavers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Harmony Whisperer
- 26-03-21
Give this book a listen, you won’t be disappointed.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. I found the characters so human, having traits that strike sympathy and frustration.
Two great voice actresses giving the story depth and ease.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Monica
- 13-12-20
Loved this book
A very well narrated story that kept me interested and amused. Very well drawn characters
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Annie
- 30-03-21
I Just Enjoyed This Book!
I really enjoyed this book, especially the descriptions.
It did remind me of a Tracy Chevalier book.
We learn about the Huguenot silk weavers of Spitalfields in the late 18th century.
Esther Thorel, wife of an upright Huguenot silk weaver, rescues Sara Kemp from a brothel.
Esther paints designs for the silks & dreams that one day they will be woven.
There are many life changes, a result of her choices & one important death.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 10-03-19
Very entertaining
The book reminded me of Perfume and The Girl With The Pearl Earring. I found it easy to listen to and got through it in two sittings.
Very good.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sophie Small
- 06-10-21
Brilliant debut historical novel
Good story with interesting characters. Loved learning about this period in history and the Spitalfields riots of the 18th Century.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-11-21
loved it
I was unsure about this initially but thoroughly enjoyed it. A well researched book, well drawn characters and excellently narrated.
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