Good book, interesting narration!

I enjoyed this book slightly different format from most of the author's work.
The narration was rather off putting, I've never met anyone who sounds like any of these characters, if I hadn't been enjoying the story I would have found it too irritating and given up.
I've nearly listened to all of this author's books available on audio book, opining that more will become available soon.

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Great characters, really good story, but . . . . .

What did you like most about Marriage and Other Games?

The characters were really well drawn and each of their stories were interesting. I really cared what happened next throughout.

Did Maggie Mash do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?

Maggie Mash's narration of the general story was really good and yes, she certainly differentiated the characters, but many of them were spoken in cringe making fashion. They were often spoken too loudly, with tones that frequently made them appear to have a significant learning disability (when they didn't)!

Any additional comments?

I did enjoy this book. I would definately have enjoyed it more with more consistently good narration. However, Henry has over-written it in places, using flowery words were they just should not be, e.g. what ordinary working bloke thinking through how he would manage if he had his children full time, would think during otherwise day-to-day speech that their grandparents would probably take them "in extremis"? Most individuals with a MA in English would be unlikely to use that term in day-to-speech. Its a little thing, but sprinkled through a book, it just distracts a little! Still worth a listen though.

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1 person found this helpful

Very real story

Sad and complex story , but very true to life. Tradgedies occur everyday in real life, but with the help of friends they can be survived!

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Simply dreadful narration.

I forced myself to finish this book as I found the narration so painful. I have never heard such bizarre country accents! The characters sound like they are either half-wits, drunk, or maybe both. And as for Charlotte and her strange way of pausing between words, perhaps the narrator thinks this enhances the telling. Well I can assure her it is beyond irritating and at times I had to stop listening. The story itself was reasonably ok, not one of Veronica Henry’s best but unfortunately, completely ruined by Maggie Mash and her strangled interpretation.

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1 person found this helpful

Just appalling narration!

Great book with lots of twists and turns. Pity the narrator made everyone sound like they had some sort of speech or intellectual impediment!

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4 people found this helpful

Ruined by a dreadful performance

I enjoyed the actual story and persevered with it (somehow) as I wanted to know what happened. But, oh my word! The narration, mainly of the characters' speech, was appalling and utterly cringeworthy in places. Why... it... was... necessary... to pause.... incessantly.... between words.... is beyond... me! NO-ONE TALKS LIKE THAT!

As another reviewer has written, please listen to the sample before wasting a credit on this version, and read the actual book yourself. It'll be a far more enjoyable experience.

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1 person found this helpful

Not her best

I've had a couple of other books by Veronica Henry and have been pleased with them. This book however was disappointing.

The story wasn't the best but the narration was very poor and I was almost at the point of stopping listening many times. I would urge everyone to listen to the sample first (which I hadn't done as I had bought the story based on previous experience of this author) before purchasing.

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2 people found this helpful

I Got it; I Enjoyed it

I think despite being about 'celebrities' fall from grace, being married I can totally understand and have empathy for the main characters. From couples having their principles and ambition cross-wired to making every effort to make their marriage work, this book is one to which many can relate. I found it believable and realistic as well as dreamy; gently nudging readers to think about their own virtues, principles, ambition and dreams within the context of marriage. How far is one expected to make compromises in order to fulfil the vow to stand by their spouse "for better or worse"?

Unfortunately for me, the narrator seemed to have a limited voice range; did not perform so well with the accents and absolutely failed to portray youthfulness in the voices used for the young characters in the book (Hailey was made to sound like and old drugged-out hag).

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1 person found this helpful

Lovely winter listen

One of my favourite listens for driving to and from work in the winter. The characters are over the top but believable. The plot bounces along at an enjoyable pace. Lovely.

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1 person found this helpful

Veronica Henry a special writer but terrible reading

Like all Victoria Henry’s books this keeps you guessing all the way through she is the mistress of Aga saga- country house.
Maggie Mash’s reading of Marriage and other games however was possibly the worst I have ever heard and I could not wait for it to finish. Correction in fairness her reading is ok the things she struggles with is accents ( unable to do ) and there is a preposterous pause between each character’s words which makes the narrative drawl on and on it sounds like a cross between Richard Hawkins and a drunk.

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