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Swallowtail Summer
- Narrated by: Richard Trinder
- Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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- By Gemmdog4 on 14-03-17
Summary
A sweeping story set against the lush riverside of the Norfolk Broads about a group of longtime friends learning how to live life to its fullest during one dramatic summer.
Linston End on the Norfolk Broads has been the holiday home to three families for many years. The memories of their time there are ingrained in their hearts: picnics on the river, gin and tonics in the pavilion at dusk, hours spent seeking out the local swallowtail butterflies. Everyone together. But widower Alastair has been faced with a few of life's surprises recently. Now, he is about to shock his circle of friends with the decisions he has made - and the changes it will mean for them all. For some, it feels like the end. For others, it might just be the beginning....
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What listeners say about Swallowtail Summer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Nicola
- 10-07-19
Not as good as previous books
I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this book as much as her previous books. The characters were not likeable and I found that the story didn’t go anywhere.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Mrs.P.Leleu
- 17-06-19
Different.
An enjoyable read not the usual Erica James.Great narrator, a joy to have clear audible speach
3 people found this helpful
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- Jacqui Allison
- 31-07-19
Disappointing book 😟
I was so looking forward to this book but what a shame. It’s slow and the narrator just didn’t fit the book.
2 people found this helpful
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- Mrs
- 29-06-19
Norfolk boards
I really thought I would enjoy a book about where I love to holiday but was quite disappointed found it slow and not about boards as much as I had expected
2 people found this helpful
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Performance
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Story
- Deborah Platt
- 28-05-19
Disappointing!
I tried hard to like this book but despite being a fan of Erica James, it was a struggle. It think it would be extremely difficult to feel any empathy with such a selfish, possessive a bunch of people. I had no connection with anyone at all!
2 people found this helpful
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Performance
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- Anncat
- 28-05-19
Mystery
Very different story to what Erica James normally writes with sad ending.
4 stars only.
1 person found this helpful
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Story
- Mr. Ron Barkess
- 27-05-19
Tedious and disappointing
I usually love Erica James’s books so was really looking forward to listening to this new one. Unfortunately it was so disappointing and not the usual type at all.
The story
Nothing really happened. It was tedious and boring and went on and on. I persevered to the end but felt like giving up many times and returning it.
The Narration
The narrator was totally unsuited to reading this type of book. The different characters voices were awful and I really think the narration ruined the book.
Wouldn’t bother buying this one. Save your credit for something better.
1 person found this helpful
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Performance
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Story
- Susan R.
- 19-05-19
Difficult to listen to
Enjoyed the story but the narration I found awful. Struggled to carry on listening but wanted to hear the ending.
1 person found this helpful
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- Pauline
- 18-05-19
Disappointed
I usually love Erica James books and downloaded Swallowtail Summer as soon as it was available however I struggled with it. It didn't feel like an Erica James book it was slow, boring and repetitive. I persevered for the first half but no further. The narrator had a lovely deep voice but was more suited to a murder mystery than a family saga. The only good point was that if I fell asleep whilst listening I could easily pick up the threads when I woke because not a lot had happened. Sorry Erica but I returned this book to Audiobooks for refund
1 person found this helpful
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- Rosemary
- 12-05-19
Boring
I love Erica James, have read/listened to all her books over the years, enjoyed them hugely, and I always look forward to her new releases. This one I found interminable and boring, I could not engage with any of the older characters or most of the younger ones. Way too much talk going over and over the same subject interminably. I stuck it the end but wondering now why I wasted my time. Very disappointing.
1 person found this helpful