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Sarum
- Narrated by: Roger Davis
- Length: 53 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
The towering story of five families through 100 centuries of turmoil, tyranny, passion and prosperity from Edward Rutherfurd, the author of London, Russka and New York.
In a novel of extraordinary richness the whole sweep of British civilisation unfolds through the story of one place, Salisbury, from beyond recorded time to the present day. The landscape - as old as time itself - shapes the destinies of the five families.
The Wilsons and the Shockleys, locked in a cycle of revenge and rivalry for more than 400 years. The Masons, who pour their inspired love of stone into the creation of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. The Porters, descended from a young Roman soldier in exile. And the aristocratic Norman Godefrois, who will fall to the very bottom of the social ladder before their fortunes revive.
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What listeners say about Sarum
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Mark Pasola
- 22-09-20
Ultimately a little disappointing
I had previously started the paperback version of this book, enjoyed it as far as I got but got overwhelmed by the length. Nonetheless I had been looking out for the audiobook version because I wanted to finish the story. So I was glad to see this addition on Audible recently.
Unfortunately, ultimately I found this book a little disappointing. It did not repay the investment of time (57 hours). Although the device of following family lines through the ages is an interesting one, the sheer plethora of characters that that device requires cannot easily all be given their own gripping story. The further I got through this audiobook the less I felt invested in the characters.
Nonetheless, I learnt a lot of interest about the Salisbury region and have already booked a visit to the city. Likewise the book taught me quite a lot of history.
Unfortunately Rutherford seems unable to describe a young female character without mentioning her sexual attributes. Particularly in the early chapters we could have done without the repeated descriptions of pubescent breasts! Once you notice, you realise that he does it every time. Creepy.
39 people found this helpful
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- Helen Steele
- 19-08-19
Brilliant read, well worth the effort.
My Mum read this book years ago and she gave it to me. However as I do a lot of train travel I didn't really want to carry it around. I saved it for ages until I moved closer to Salisbury then it became available on Audible. I wasn't bored with it at all and thoroughly enjoyed all 54 hours.
I think it is definitely worth the read/listen. There were parts where I wanted more detail and not to move on. My only criticism is that towards the end it tails off very quickly.
28 people found this helpful
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- Pamela
- 03-02-21
Skips and Jumps Through History
It's huge, it's broad pen strokes through time and it just doesn't work. 100 centuries are crammed into 54 hours or 900 pages in the book. With lines like
Approximately 3500 years have passed.
Hmm well it's not great.
It's a strange book. The basic idea is to go through periods in prehistory and history with the geographical focus being on the West Country of England. It ends up as a patchwork of short stories of the chosen time periods. The prehistory is particularly sketchy with uncertain claims of sacrificing of people and wives.
I'm not sure who the book is for and the only conclusion I can think is for someone visiting England who wants an overview of the general historical bench marks.
It is overly lengthy and over descriptive in many places where there is no justification for it for these characters come and go rather rapidly..
Truly not with the time and effort.
12 people found this helpful
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- Campesque
- 04-12-19
Vintage Rutherfurd
Another brilliant journey through time from a master of his craft. I come back to Edward Rutherfurd book time and again.
10 people found this helpful
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- Marioncostadelsol
- 17-04-20
Superlatives for Sarum ll
Absolutely loved this big book... Ccompanion through three weeks of lockdown!! Cant recommend it highly enough... Cant wait to revisit the Cathedral, with new eyes!!
9 people found this helpful
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- Ginger
- 18-04-20
A Tour de Force
I read this book when it first came out. I enjoyed it then and I have loved listening to it now. Apart from it being a rattling good story, it is an educational book in the true sense of the word - from the Latin, educo, I lead out. It leads out the reader’s mind, in this instance, to appreciate the myriad lives that have gone before us.
8 people found this helpful
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- Linda
- 12-05-20
History of England with a personal touch.
Fascinating and detailed history of part of England that takes you through the ages. Timeless.
7 people found this helpful
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- Elaine Taylor
- 19-07-19
engaging read
it was very enjoyable, I found it hard to put down. they were engaging stories
7 people found this helpful
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- diane goldman
- 19-08-20
I feel like I’ve been Time travelling!
This is so beautifully written. The author takes you on a remarkable journey through time. Having read London I knew how Edward Rutherford research means you are having a riveting history lesson spanning over a thousand years or more. It is at times thrilling and also very moving as you experience the fortunes and misfortune of the Sarum ancestors. I feel I was present when Salisbury Cathedral was built. So much so that we are planning a visit to the area, this time not just to see Stonehenge but Old Sarum too as well as other places mentioned in the book. The actor Roger Davis who reads the book is very skilled, bringing the characters even more vividly alive.
6 people found this helpful
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- adrian marsden
- 03-01-20
great book great read
I read this book a few years ago great story when it came online I thought i would give it a try I was not disappointed
4 people found this helpful
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- mntsmtl
- 22-11-19
Epic story but hard to follow - need reference mat
I enjoyed Sarum but the audiobook experience was sometimes confusing without reference materials like a family tree and a map to place all of the hundreds of characters and places. I was unable to find any such resources, short of buying a hard-copy book, which I did not do.
8 people found this helpful
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- JoBo
- 31-01-21
Long Story but Worthwhile Listening
An ingenious blend of history and fiction that kept my attention. The reading was stage quality but the reader dipped into low volume speech at times making listening a bit difficult. He could then get quite loud making comfortable volume setting a challenge. From what I already knew about English history I think the representation was fairly accurate. Corn however has not been grown there for thousands of years. Maize was a gift from the New World. Nonetheless I recommend this enchanting listen and am pleased that I completed it.
7 people found this helpful
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- Audrey Davis
- 24-03-21
Masterful historic novel
I know Sarum and Salisbury quite well; I visit the area often, so much in the novel is very real to me. I’ve even climbed to the top of the Cathedral spire and can say that the descriptions in the novel seem remarkably accurate.
The love stories are well told.
I did have trouble keeping all the names straight. Since it’s an audio I can ‘t keep checking them out. So I also have the book and check names out there from time to time.
A long story, but it kept my interest and I learned a lot.
John Staige Davis
5 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 16-03-21
Wonderful ramble through British history
At 54 hours long Sarum Is my favorite type of book: a great story that you hope will just keep going. It was worth every minute. I’m sorry it’s ended. I’ll miss the characters. Now I want to visit that part of England!
3 people found this helpful
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- BettyP
- 14-05-22
Loved this book
This book is a great reminder that human nature is still evolving... much too slowly. I loved the combination of archeology, history, and fiction. The story of human evolution, progress and lack of progress.
1 person found this helpful
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- M. Cain
- 05-10-21
Narration adds to the story
Roger Davis is fantastic as the narrator. He brings a wonderful story to life with his accent and intonation! A long story, told in a masterful way! Very enjoyable listen!
1 person found this helpful
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- James Friday
- 11-08-21
American accents
I loved the entire book. The American accent slays me. Edward Rutherfurd is a genius.
1 person found this helpful