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Lady of Hay
- Narrated by: Isla Blair
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
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Summary
The book that wowed a generation, Lady of Hay has sold over a million copies worldwide.
Jo Clifford, successful journalist, is all set to debunk the idea of past-life regression in her next magazine series. But when she herself submits to a simple hypnotic session, she suddenly finds herself reliving the experiences of Matilda, Lady of Hay, the wife of a baron at the time of King John.
As she learns of Matilda's unhappy marriage, her love for the handsome Richard de Clare and the brutal threats of death at the hands of King John, it becomes clear that Jo's past and present are hopelessly entwined and that, eight hundred years on, a story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to begin again…
Critic reviews
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What listeners say about Lady of Hay
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Charlotte
- 05-08-15
Very disappointing abridged version of a great book.
This book suffered hugely from being abridged. Most of the wonderful historical discrimination of the medieval lives were cut. We were left with too much physical relationship descriptions. Sad because Barbara Erskine's books capture past times beautifully interwoven with modern. I've got all the other books which are unabridged and they are marvellous.
11 people found this helpful
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- Galadriel
- 20-05-16
Worst adaptation of an audio book I have ever heard
Surely if it really MUST be abridged (why...?) then it can be done so in a sympathetic manner. Why hoik out great swathes of historical description? One of Erskine's greatest gifts is of bringing the past back to life - something completely missing from this debacle.
No-one could believe in the breathy hysteric portrayed by Isla - she's supposed to be a tough go-getting journalist . And with all of the chopped out bits and the hysterical/erotic overtones would be more at home on the 'Erotic' list. I was almost ashamed when my husband came in the room at a particularly crass bit, I'm not a £2.00 bodice ripper lady.
I got halfway through and gave up.
Thanks for spoiling one of my favourite books.
8 people found this helpful
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- Maggie
- 16-07-14
If only it weren't abridged...
Any additional comments?
This was the first Barbara Erskine book I read, years ago, and I think her best. Since then the stories gradually became a bit formulaic, but I always returned to re-read this. When I first joined Audible, it was also the first I listened to, and Isla Blair reads it beautifully and had me hooked on audiobooks from around chapter 2. Maude, or Matilda, de Braose is a fascinating character and Erskine's interpretation of her family's relationship with King John is compelling. It's very much a novel but is based on fact - these people did live and much of their lives is documented. The result is a very strong, well headstrong, but 3 dimensional character. I've just listened again, and it is a book you can return to and still enjoy fresh. A fascinating period in history, and the reincarnation aspect is dealt with well. So with 4 for story and 5 for narration, why 3 overall? Purely because it's abridged. I wish Isla Blair could also record the other Erskine book that (nearly) measures up to Lady of Hay, Kingdom of Shadows. It's not listed. But please, unabridged.
8 people found this helpful
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- Chiaracuddle
- 03-10-15
Missed 'Abridged'
Isla Blair really needs to learn to pronounce Welsh if she's going to read a book with Welsh dialogue. This is a good story, but I really wish you had the full version! Don't like beloved stories with bits chopped out.
5 people found this helpful
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- Mrs L.
- 13-03-16
Worst book I've ever had from Audible.
Would you try another book written by Barbara Erskine or narrated by Isla Blair?
Only if it was unabridged
What was most disappointing about Barbara Erskine’s story?
This is the worst book I've ever had from Audible. It was too short, too confusing and I think half the book was missing. Was such a shame because I love Barbara Erskine books.
How could the performance have been better?
Please do not sell as abridged.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
No I honestly hated it. It was a waste of money.
4 people found this helpful
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- gepocock
- 27-07-17
Previously I loved this novel
This novel in paperback I loved and I consequently went on to read Erskine's other novels. But this was excruciating. The author read it as if it were Mills and Boon and jolly hockey sticks. For old time's sake I tried to persevere but I gave up.
3 people found this helpful
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- Rosieb
- 06-02-21
Lady of Hay
Repetitive in places. And a bit confusing even though familiar with the period of history
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- weechuff
- 12-01-21
Absorbing listening
I have read the book twice, but it in no way compared with this audio version.
The characters came alive for me, and i strongly recommend The Lady of Hay audio book .
It was superbly written by Barbara Erskine, which we have come to expect, and brilliantly narrated by Isla Blair.
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- F.M.G.
- 25-09-20
Good but not the best
As someone who, without much actual evidence, believes in the idea of re-incarnation, or certainly of more than one appearance on the earth, I obviously enjoyed this book.
However, it does not have the power, or general taughtness of Green Darkness by Anya Seeton, which handles a similar theme but with much greater power. Of course, it depends whether you are interested in the past or present of the characters, and the petty feuding, bitchiness, and fragility of relationships of the present made an interesting comparison with the similar feudseabitchiness and friendgility of relationships in the past, though in the past for the 'titled classes' (the equivalent of the 'chattering classes' today) athe means and ends were much worse -- I don't think any one starves to death these days in an oubliette, though in less democratic places there are plenty of unexplained disappearances.
My only criticism is that I didn't really care that much about the characters, apart from Nick, perhaps. The others were just cyphers and I didn't find myself worrying greatly over their fates. But maybe that's me just being unkind.
A pleasant and entertaining read and not too historically flawed, (and I am a medievalist).
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- Lindaloo
- 03-09-20
Disappointing
Picked for type of story & reviews, I laughed out loud & cringed at the content, to much rape & on off feelings spoiled the story. It switched in an instant between timelines, I missed where I was, very painful to listen to.