The duke and the Quaker nurse - without cliches.

Would you listen to Flowers from the Storm again? Why?

Fully-realised characters who engage your interest and sympathy whilst still being true to their own time.

What other book might you compare Flowers from the Storm to, and why?

Although the events and setting of the story are very different, this book reminded me in some ways of "Jane Eyre" - a charismatic and powerful man, used to arranging the world as he wants, meets an unsophisticated woman who seems timid and easily-influenced but is more than his equal in strength of character. The fluctuations of the balance of power between the two protagonists are sometimes at the forefront and sometimes overtaken by the flow of events as the rakish Duke of Jervaulx suffers a stroke and loses control over his life and property.The writing is polished and unrushed, allowing the listener full insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings.
Although this is a "historical romance", I think the only cliché of the genre you will find in this book is the opening scene, which contains an explicit description of the duke and his mistress in bed. Although the level of explicit description is repeated later, the sensuality of the later romantic scenes reflects the slow development of love and trust between Christian and Maddy despite their profound differences.

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

If I'd read this book I'd have skimmed it to get to the key events, since I find it hard to stick with a lot of narrative and internal dialogue, but Nicholas Boulton's performance kept me interested. His consistent and skilful delivery is never boring and in the emotional scenes reaches a riveting intensity which is exactly right for this dramatic story.

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5 people found this helpful

10* OMG brilliant

So moving and thorough, a lesser author would have made this 4 books in the current trend of writing a 'series'.
Great narration portrayed the post stroke state fantastically.
this is a contender for one of my best books.

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enjoyable

loved the story and really well read. great value for money as is such a long book!

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Possibly my no. 1 audiobook!!!!

From beginning to end, it's such a good story. I have all of Laura Kinsale's audiobook. She is my favourite author and as for Nicholas Bolton... Well a truly talented narrator! He makes the book come to life in a way no other narrator can!

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A wonderful book made as Theatre!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would indeed recommend this book to a friend, or anyone else who loves a great book; I love Laura Kinsale's writing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers from the Storm?

There are too many memorable moments to mention.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Boulton’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have heard Nicholas Boulton and I think he must be the best Narrator ever!! He is able to slip into the character of each person seamlessly so you are able to picture the scenario before you as if you are watching a play.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

In listening to this book, I experienced every emotion under the sun; from the first sentence to the last I ran the whole gamut and I felt more alive than before. this book pulled me apart, made me cry and laugh, too. Then, put me back together again at the end. Thank goodness I can listen again and again.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Laura Kinsale for choosing the best voice ever for your wonderful books; I will buy all of them as and when they are available.

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Loved this book

Love the narrator and the story. One of my favourites.

One of her best books. Loved Maddy and the Duke.

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Brilliant

This book was absolutely brilliant. The best of Laura Kinsale so far and I've listened to a few. I found a few of them quite boring that could have been 5 hours shorter. But this was fantastic from beginning to end I couldn't stop listening. I couldn't wait to get back to it each time I had to stop.
I also liked Prince Of Midnight very much but this was even better. Although I must say that LK's heroines are not very likeable till the very end. But Maddie was OK, but about an hour before the end she was as annoying as all the other heroines in LK's books.
Nicholas Boulton was absolutely brilliant as always, especially in this book. He was fantastic.

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Georgette Heyer fans start here.....

I loved this story - an interesting blend of Regency life, the contrast between it and Quaker sensibilities - excess in both directions - passionate lovemaking and a curiously compelling and insightful description of what? The results of a stroke? Very nicely narrated by Nicholas Boulton whose voice brought the various characters to life keeping them separate in the listener's mind. This is my first Laura Kinsale book - I expect to listen to more of them.

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Laura Kinsale...at last!

Of all Laura Kinsale's books, this has been my favourite and I'm so pleased to have it as an unabridged audiobook.
This is a beautifully written novel whose two main characters are really well-drawn and unusual.There's tension and conflict, grief and love as they struggle towards a resolution...expect your emotions to be played with!
As for Nicholas Boulton...what a wonderful performance from an outstanding narrator. He has all the voices, all the accents to match the subtleties and nuances of the writing. A superb match!
I can't praise this novel/narrator highly enough. In fact I've already downloaded the other three books available and look forward to more.

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A love story as good as Jane Eyre

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely. I bought the audiobook based on Nicholas Boulton's voice which is mellifluous and a joy to listen to. I read the reviews on Amazon & Goodread & decided to take a punt. I didn't think I was going to enjoy the story, but once I got into it, I struggled to stop listening to it for the last 1/3rd of the recording. Nicholas Boulton is so much more than a narrator, he is a fabulous actor. I don't think I would have finished the book if I had read it. The hero had a stroke and in the first part of his journey back to health, understandably can't form his words, and must be quite hard to read. In this regard, listening to N.B reading it as an actor was wonderful. He brought the book alive. I would recommend it to fellow listeners who love Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. It is in the style of Georgette Heyer but so much meatier, less fluffy and so well written. I was sad when it ended.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole story was good, it continually moved along without getting stuck or a bit 'boggy' as some stories tend to do in the middle. I liked all the characters in the story, both good and bad. I was a little frustrated/annoyed with the heroine, Maddy, for her piety, but as a Quaker, that was the point. She came good in the end so that was a triumph for sense over religion (apologies to those who read this who are of a religious zealous persuasion). It's the second Laura Kinsale book that I've read that has a religious or cult theme - not sure what Fraud would say about her, or maybe she just likes writing about tortured religious souls? In brief, selfish, arrogant Mr Rochester-type-character (Christian, Duke of Jervoux) who lives life on his terms, has a stroke. Put in an asylum. Quaker girl cares for him (she met him pre-stroke through her father as both men genius mathematicians). He ends up relying on her totally while she understands his needs & helps him to manage his condition. She turns his world upside down through her kind deeds & simple life & he upends hers, literally and awakens her sexually. It is a very beautiful slow-burn love story.

Which character – as performed by Nicholas Boulton – was your favourite?

The hero, Christian, who was such a well-developed character through the hands of Laura Kinsale. Each time he fights to get his point across and can't, because of his stroke, she makes you feel his pain & frustration. He is a strong character who won't be beaten & I loved him better than I did Maddy, who at times I wanted to be more feisty (as she was at the beginning of the book & became less so as the book progressed)

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't really laugh (it wasn't like her Lessons in French that is humorous), but Christian's best friends are amusing especially the one who has brawn but no brains. His formidable aunt is also quite amusing. I didn't cry but I had a lump in my throat at the end of the book when Christian gave his speech at the Quakers meeting house & then to Maddy in the graveyard. He was brought to his knees & laid his soul bare. What compassionate woman couldn't be moved by that.

Any additional comments?

Buy the audiobook. Nicholas Boulton is a genius ! Great story, you'll love it.

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4 people found this helpful