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Earthly Joys

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Earthly Joys

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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Another sweeping novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author…

Pre-order BOLEYN TRAITOR now – Philippa Gregory’s landmark return to the Tudor court, coming Autumn 2025 …

A brand-new recording available as an unabridged digital audio edition for the first time.

A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.

As gardener and confidant to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.

Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people, and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.

©2018 Philippa Gregory (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Political Royalty
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Critic reviews

"When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league." (Daily Mail)

"A hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book." (Daily Telegraph)

"Vivid and enthralling good gripping stuff." (Sunday Times)
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Certainly not fast-paced, but a beautifully rich story that has nowhere to be any time soon. Loved the luxury of it and learned a little around the history of gardening too.

Beautiful historic garden references and a rambling rose of a story

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I adore Philippa Gregory’s work but this book really stood out. It’s simply wonderful. A true story of what it is to find one’s passions in life. Thrilling, joyful and sometimes heartbreaking. Her research into the subject is, as always, impeccable and the narration was really good. What a joy to listen to.

Utterly beautiful

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This is a new author for me. I was attracted by the subject ,as a keen gardener, to learn more about the life of the famous horticulturist Tradescant the Elder, It's a fascinating story and surprising. I hadn't realized that not only was he a talented garden designer, seeker and breeder of new plants from around the world, but also a soldier commandeered by the Duke of Buckingham to take part in one of the Dukes' reckless military campaigns. The Duke not only employed Tradescant as a gardener but as a general factotum to obey his every wish. I suppose the speculative scenes of homosexual activity between the two are included to spice up the story but I believe there is no historical basis for this other than the devotion of Tradescant to the Duke. Tradescant's life appears to have been dominated by an excessive devotion to his masters to the exclusion of all others, including his family. The wealth and profligacy of the aristocracy and particularly Charles the First and his Queen is sickening seen against the suffering of the ordinary people. It's just surprising it took the populace to so long to get ride of the parasites and even more of a pity that they were re-instated to continue milking the system. I am yet again surprised that the author, a professional historian, should repeatedly refer to the King of 'England' when the crowns were joined in 1603.
All in all this is an absorbing and interesting novel made all the better by the superb dramatization by David Rintoul.

Enjoyable mix of fact and fiction

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Good story in an interesting part of history l knew very little about. Much too long though..? Would have preferred an abridged version with less of the boring domestic conversations and pious
ruminations that seem to go on for an eternity in some places. Nearly gave up in the first half, but persevered, and pace moved on a bit in the second. Glad l stuck with it though.

Interesting piece of history

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Fascinating to hear both the life and works of John Tradescant and the interleaving history of his times. Both those interested in plants and their origins and the tempestuous nobles and royalty will enjoy this. The first Cabinet of Curiosities as well. A feast!

What a joyful book to listen to

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