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The Black Moth

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The Black Moth

By: Georgette Heyer
Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir
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About this listen

The debut novel from the creator of the Regency genre of romance fiction

Based on a story she had written for her brother and published when she was 19 years old, The Black Moth is set during the Georgian era in the 1750s and follows Lord Jack Carstares, the eldest son of the Earl of Wyncham. Six years ago, Jack took the blame when his younger brother Richard cheated at cards. Jack consequently faced social exile and fled England for the European continent. He has now secretly returned, robbing carriages as a highwayman.

One day, he rescues Miss Diana Beauleigh when she is almost abducted by the Duke of Andover. Jack and Diana fall in love, but his troubled past and current profession threaten their happiness.

In a contemporary review published in 1921, the Times Literary Supplement deemed the protagonist Jack a “fascinating hero of romance” and added that the novel was “a well-filled story which keeps the reader pleased”.

©2009 Georgette Heyer (P)2020 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Historical Historical Fiction Romance
All stars
Most relevant
... the mispronunciations of English words, placenames etc were grating, as were the attempts at Irish and Scottish accents. (Loos for Lewes, Cholmondeley for Chumley - a little research could have avoided these and others.)
The story was classic Heyer, although not one of her best in my opinion. It was a long time since I had read the book, and I was engrossed despite myself.

Why an American narrator...

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not sure why the narrator thought their "oirish" accent was anything other than dreadful. pronunciation of some (quite a few) words defied belief. the story is fabulous though - classic georgette heyer , but please find a better narrator.

dreadful stage irish accents,

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Sadly, the reading left much to be desired. Sentences full of unnecessary pauses which, breaking the natural rhythm of speech were an annoying distraction. Occasional wrong pronunciation of words (foreign, names and unusual ones) was not easily pardonable. The Irish brogue and, at one point, Scottish accent, were a parody. But the story is fun.

A good story

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This is the earliest romantic Heyer but the story telling skill is there. I just wish I had chosen a version with a different narrator. The peculiarities of English place names and surnames are just about excusable but dodgy regional accents are not. Given the money to be made from audible books you would think the producers would find someone with the necessary skill. The result of not doing so is a performance with enough verbal errors to set my teeth on edge.

Narration mars fine story

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Disliked the voice of the reader very much. Particularly her attempt at an Irish accent.

Great story - poor reader

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