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Octavia cover art

Octavia

By: Jilly Cooper
Narrated by: Anna Parker-Naples
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Summary

As soon as Octavia caught a glimpse of Jeremy, she knew she just had to have him. It didn't matter that he'd just got engaged to an old school friend of hers, Gussie. 

An invitation to join Gussie and Jeremy for a cosy weekend on a canal barge came like a gift from the gods. However, the other part of the foursome was tycoon Gareth Llewellyn, and he certainly managed to thwart her plans....

©1977 Jilly Cooper (P)2018 W.F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Octavia

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

hilarious Welsh "accent"

As with almost all of the recent Jilly Cooper releases, the narration leaves a lot to be desired. I read this book when I was a teenager, and it's still fun. The Welsh accent was at first annoying, and then amusing :D

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Always love Jilly

It’s not easy to get it right reading a Jilly Cooper book so I tried to be fair while listening. However, once the breathy Gussy and welsh Gareth interpretation was read I nearly sent the book back. All Jillys stories are so close to my heart so I persevered and once I managed to train my brain to ignore the way it was read I was able to finish the story. The book itself is beautifully satisfying for any Jilly fan and was a welcome familiar treat in the gloom of this pandemic and the winter!
Thank you Jilly for all your stories that give humour and romance escape. I no longer have the time to read them for myself so an audiobook is the next best thing!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a good story ruined by the narration

I first read this years ago and loved it. although it now feels dated it's still entertaining. the downside is the narration which features the worst Welsh accent in the history of audio

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story; poor narration

I’ve read this story oodles of times over the past 30 years and although it is now quite dated, I still love it. The narration is, however, really poor. Incorrect pronunciation, some words changed (I know this story word for word in many places), but the most heinous of all is the appalling “Welsh” accent; as a Welsh person myself, I was cringing through most of it which is a real shame as it spoilt it for me. Still a great story though. :)

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Welsh accent was appalling

If your welsh don’t listen as when ever the welsh character speaks you will be subject to the worst accent ever. I went from Scotland,via England , skirted wales and ended up in Ireland . Shame as the rest was really good . Story is fun and if you like this series of books you will enjoy this one .

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great (dated) fun! Narration appalling!!

I loved this book when I read it as a teenager and wanted to be the slim blonde and beautiful Octavia. It’s a great story, of its time and of course dated, but plenty of Cooperisms and funny dialogue. The narration was absolutely dire though! The butch Welsh Gareth sounds anything but, and Gussie sounds like a woman on the edge 🤣🤣 But I enjoyed the trip down memory lane and if you love Jilly Cooper novels, this is a fun 6 hours to while away !

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great JC read

I listen to a lot of audio books from all genres and have come to the conclusion that it’s very hard to get each characters voices just right, but all things considered (Welsh, posh, camp, foreign, silly) this narrator done ok in opinion. I’m a big fan of all JC slim books and this doesn’t disappoint. BUT as I always review for future readers remember when these were written!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

absolutely exceptional

The narrator has chosen an incredible choice of vocabulary and the storyline is not only gripping and fiery but also shows morals. must listen listen!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Teenage history

Loved this took me back to being 15 when myself and my friends read all these Jilly cooper books especially Octavia - only criticism I had with the reading was that Gareth didn’t sound like the butch welsh man he was portrayed to be sounded a bit too camp 💜

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Shame about the narration

Love this story and have read it many times over the years. Just had to purchase it . Unfortunately the narration was awful so will probably re-read rather than re-listen.

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