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Sleeper's Castle
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 19 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
Two women, centuries apart. One endless nightmare tearing Wales apart - and only they can stop it.
Sunday Times best-selling author Barbara Erskine returns to Hay in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of her sensational debut best seller, Lady of Hay.
Hay-on-Wye, 1400. War is brewing in the Welsh borders. Catrin is on the brink of womanhood and falling in love for the first time. Her father is a soothsayer playing a dangerous game, playing on the mixed loyalties and furious rivalries between Welsh princes and English lords.
For 200 years the Welsh people have lain under the English yoke, dreaming of independence. And finally it looks as though the charismatic Owain Glyndwr may be the man legend talks of.
In the walls of Sleeper's Castle, Catrin finds herself caught in the middle of a doomed war as she is called upon to foretell Wales' destiny. And what she sees is blood and war coming closer....
Hay, 2015. Miranda has moved to Sleeper's Castle to escape and grieve. Slowly she feels herself coming to life in the solitude of the mountains. But every time she closes her eyes, her dreams become more vivid. And she makes a connection with a young girl who's screaming, who's reaching out...whom only Miranda can help. Is she losing herself to time?
Critic reviews
"Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson." (Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times)
"Barbara Erskine's storytelling talent is undeniable." ( The Times)
"Marvellous escapist stuff." ( Woman and Home)
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What listeners say about Sleeper's Castle
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- TR
- 23-09-16
Storytelling at its very best.
Barbara Erskine is a wonderful story teller with the ability to paint her protagonists so very well that you are walking the path of each character with exhilaration and not a little trepidation! This was vividly narrated by an excellent choice of actress.
Sleeper's Castle where the past and present collide with sometimes terrifying consequences. Where dreams become real and where the past can be touched at Andy's peril!
Andy, (helped by Pepper, the cat, with a rather scrumptious yet moody, reserved gardener, a Shaman and a kind yet practical friend) solves the hauntings of Sleeper's Castle.
Yet again Barbara Erskine has written a hauntingly beautiful story.
Roll on her next novel.
7 people found this helpful
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- Debra B.
- 07-03-18
loved book
comforting book
historically correct
brilliant story line
very well orated
have read and loved books
6 people found this helpful
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- Hollie
- 05-09-17
Brilliant escapism!
Welsh folklore and a ghost story with a twist. This is my first book by Erskine and wow.. I had shivers throughout! This was well read and I could follow it very easily even though the story bounced between present and past. This is an excellent story to read/listen to by candlelight! Well done!
3 people found this helpful
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- Sollenbum
- 11-07-17
Gentle supernatural romance
What did you like most about Sleeper's Castle?
Most of the central characters were round so their behaviour was grounded in reality even though the plot was not. Pepper the cat was particularly well described.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Sleeper's Castle?
The description of the landscape almost became a character in the novel. The cottage and the Pepper the cat were very vivid.
Which character – as performed by Charlotte Strevens – was your favourite?
Culpepper the cat - very feline and yet almost anthropomorphic.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Welsh romantic ghost story
Any additional comments?
The plot had a nice denouement and the relationships ended in a satisfying way. However, some of the minor characters had behaviour patterns that were fairly one dimensional.
3 people found this helpful
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- montyrom
- 07-05-17
great being back in Hay...
loved it... as gripping as the lady of hay. but sad it's ended...
great characters, lovely full ending and pleased as always that the language is clean.
I love Barbara's books as I love the hidden history lesson and then being able to visit the places she describes.
thank you Barbara x
3 people found this helpful
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- Karolina P
- 03-10-17
Easy Listen
I really liked the story from the very beginning and I cared about the characters It was easy to follow and the Welsh accent was great Would recommend
2 people found this helpful
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- Theresa Jones
- 27-08-17
Great story.
This is a story I would listen to again. I enjoyed this story so much from the moment it started.
2 people found this helpful
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- anne
- 18-08-17
Barbara at her best ... once again!
As always, Barbara keeps you gripped until the end. Excellent story, very well written, great story telling. So much attention to detail you can always put yourself into her characters shies. Very well read - throughly enjoyed this book. I Would highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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- lizzie
- 23-07-17
A quirky tale which would make a good TV play
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes I would recommend to a friend as it is interesting and has an unusual plot
2 people found this helpful
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- carol
- 10-07-17
Good story, but too many hours- 19hours!!
I like Barbara Erskine books, but the 19 hours was a bit too much, that I was skipping chapters, without loosing too much of the story.
2 people found this helpful
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- Liz
- 04-02-19
Please add more of this author!
I love her books and being set in a part of the UK I once lived in really brought the images and landscape back to me - haunting and addictive!
PLEASE ADD MORE BOOKS!
1 person found this helpful
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- portsbabe
- 19-09-17
Talks to fast
Would you listen to Sleeper's Castle again? Why?
This my be a good story. But the narrator is terrible. She talked normal in her narration, but real fast in her character speech. After about an hour, I couldn't take it anymore. A narrator can make or break a book. I really think this my have been a good story.
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- Hollister C. Price
- 22-03-17
Great Book!!
What did you love best about Sleeper's Castle?
I always love Barbara Erskine's books! I discovered Lady of Hay back in the 80's and have been an avid fan ever since. Her books are always so well researched and written and I look forward to each one!
Who was your favorite character and why?
My favorite character was Catrin because of her goodness and her courage.
Which character – as performed by Charlotte Strevens – was your favorite?
Catrin.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The end when they laid Catrin's father to rest. He was a mean old goat!