A middle class dated world

I enjoyed this insight into a world of the middle classes where mothers make stock from fresh and mend clothes and have a help to care for the children who are not at boarding school. I lived through the 198Os but I don't recognise this world.

it was beautifully written and the description of settings and moods and dilemmas are compelling. I am not totally convinced by the conflicts that the G.P. is facing. The plot development has a surprising twist and I did not see that coming.

The narration sounded like something from Noel Coward at times. Did the middle classes talk like this in the 1980s.? Added to this there were times that the recording did not sound clear and the plot leapt from setting to setting without a pause in the narration . However there were moments when the performance was brilliant. The character voices for Andrew and Marina were excellent.

I am sad to have left this family behind even though I was not convinced that their world ever existed.

My take away on a deeper level is that Joanna Trollope in 1990 seems to say that with financial independence comes female emancipation.. However, it is interesting that her main female characters are given that financial freedom through marriage or inheritance from male family members rather than a career path .

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A good book, lacking in some aspects

I thought I had read all of Joanna Trollope's books decades ago, but must have missed this one.

It was a good family aga-saga really. A bit surprising in places I thought. Also, it was certainly a book "of its time", much of it is now dated...but that is ok with me.

Very well performed by the wonderful Eleanor Bron. But then, she could read and narrate a cereal packet and it would sound brilliant!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Not the slightest pause between scenes

When scenes change without the chapter changing too, there is absolutely no pause in the reading, so it takes time to realise the story has moved on. The characterisation of voices is good, however. I was not impressed with the 2 main characters - both act stupidly and a bit selfishly. Generally a rather depressing book - not one of her best.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Well-written, yet oddly unsatisfying

The prose is well-constructed and fluent, but the premise is not very believable and neither did I find the emotions described relatable.
The reading was good and the accents warm and consistent. What was irritating though was the faint chatter in the far background. Clearly the recording space used was not fully soundproofed!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Loved every minute of it!

Eleanor Bron is such a delightful narrator- the story was a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end. It was rather like a warm shawl around you on a pleasant but slightly chilly British summer evening.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Poor Sound Quality

There was a buzzing in the background & towards the end, other voices could be heard, like a radio in the background. Never had this problem with Audible before.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!