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The Good Wife of Bath
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Fran Burgoyne
- Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins
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The Good Wife of Bath
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Summary
A provocative, immersive medieval novel starring one of literature’s most unforgettable characters in her own words—Chaucer’s bold and libidinous Wife of Bath.
“So damned readable and fun…This is the story of a woman fighting for her rights; it breaches the walls of history.”--The Australian
In the middle ages, a famous poet told a story that mocked a strong woman. It became a literary classic. But what if the woman in question had a chance to tell her own version?
England, 1364: When married off at aged twelve to an elderly farmer, brazen redheaded Eleanor quickly realizes it won’t matter what she says or does, God is not on her side—or any poor woman’s for that matter. But then again, Eleanor was born under the joint signs of Venus and Mars, making her both a lover and a fighter.
Aided by a head for business (and a surprisingly kind husband), Eleanor manages to turn her first marriage into success, and she rises through society from a cast-off farm girl to a woman of fortune who becomes a trusted friend of the social-climbing poet Geoffrey Chaucer. But more marriages follow—some happy, some not—several pilgrimages, many lovers, murder, mayhem, and many turns of fortune’s wheel as Eleanor pursues the one thing that all women want: control of their own lives.
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What listeners say about The Good Wife of Bath
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ella wilder
- 04-12-22
What a wonderful wonderful story
Thankyou so much Karen !!! It was marvellous. I momentarily studied Chaucer at school and found it as dull as could be. It’s not for people in their early teens. But here I am listening awestruck ( and grateful I was not around in mediaeval England). The story was full of pace and empathy and it was good to note that not all the men were loathsome hypocrites. I loved the insightful portrayal of the woman and gasped at the horror they had to endure. Very well done and Thankyou for giving us a happy(ish) ending. It’s is the first of your books I have heard, and will be onto the next ( something to do with locksmiths in 15C England) immediately. I was totally immersed with your writing and this is the longest review I have done. Well worth everyone listening to this.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mair
- 03-10-22
Wonderful! The best I’ve read all year!
My first foray into Karen Brook’s work, it certainly won’t be the last. She wends a clever, at times humerus, sometimes tragic path through medieval England, pushing us all the time to think about the nature of love, of what it means to be human, and the constant search for the right of women to be in control of their own lives.
The research is immaculate, the premise always in sight, the writing powerful and masterly.
Fran Burgoyne’s performance is perfect, bringing to life Eleanor/Alison and all the other tumult of characters.
This is the best thing I’ve read all year!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cidergirl
- 17-07-22
highly recommended
Loved it, full of medieval atmosphere and interesting plots. Will seek other work by the author.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-09-23
Excellent story, excellent narration
Loved this book so much I read it again from the beginning as soon as I finished it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Gaskett
- 17-03-23
Her Own Story
I loved this tale - Karen Brooks has interwoven truth and fiction with the help of Chaucer!
Fantastic reading from Fran Burgoyne - great characterisation!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A. Moorhouse Sacred Earth
- 02-03-23
loved it
loved every moment of this book, was hooked on the first five minutes and couldn't stop listening.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-11-22
very enjoyable
a wonderful insight into the lives of medieval women and how challenging they were, intertwined with Chaucer's poetry,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Carrie-Anne Lavender
- 11-10-22
gripping and original story
At 19 hours for a new author I took a risk but I'm glad I did. Rich in historical detail, compelling and original. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was sad to say goodbye to a the characters at the end
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 25-09-22
Graphic but excellent
Excellent historically and fascinating picture of Chaucer. Rather too graphic of bodily functions but those were the times!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Knight Reader
- 05-07-22
Karen Brooks… wow! A must for historic fiction fans.
Fantastic piece of historical fiction. I am a huge fan of Kate Morton for her detailed descriptions and mostly her well researched historic periods for when her novels are set, until I’ve listened to this by new favourite author, Karen Brooks.
I can be a tricky one to please as I can pick fault with most things. Yet this book certainly did not give me opportunity to serve one complaint nor did it allow me to have a single picky comment to enter my thoughts whilst I was listening to, The Good Wife of Bath.
Karen Brooks has taken me my the hand and guided me back in time by allowing her words to become animated in my head. Her detailed writing skills ignited my imagination whilst quenching my thirst for historical knowledge. I shall now immerse myself in her other novels.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dawn Umstot
- 01-07-22
Interesting, funny and thought provoking
This book was recommended to me so I acquired it and started listening. I am so happy I did. What an interesting audible book to experience. Its set in the UK hundreds of years ago when times were quite different. The leading character is burgeoning feminist ahead of her time, and one with intelligence, wit and sarcasm that help her survive the trials of her life. What comes through is her ability to create a loving family for those in her life and make lemonade out of the lemons life gives her. The historical setting is very interesting, especially when she goes on pilgrimages. And at the end there is an extended section where the author discusses her struggles with writing the book and what inspired her. Very interesting. I also enjoyed the narrator thoroughly, who perfectly filled the shoes of the written character.
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43 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Margaret R. Gravelle
- 03-02-22
Beautiful
A story, based on Chauser's poems but from the woman's point of view, that successfully transports you back to the 1360s. You follow the main character throughout her life. Through times of trials and of joy. This was a great story that was easy to sink into and get lost in. I was recommending it to my reading friends before I'd even finished it! I can't wait to read the authors earlier books!
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23 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Placeholder
- 10-02-22
Good tale
The story was clever and interesting. However, the agony for Elizabeth/Allison lasted too long.
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16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jamie
- 12-02-22
Loved It
I really enjoyed this book. This is a novel I know I will listen to again sometime. Worth the credit.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jom
- 18-11-22
I truly enjoyed this
I was initially intrigued by the time period this was written. The 1300’s is not a popular setting nowadays. The story is full of insight, surprise, happiness, and sadness, but on the whole well balanced. Be aware of the rough language. It didn’t bother me, but added to the feel of the times. I imagine there are many payout there who may be opposed to it.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- SiFi G
- 20-03-23
All the vulgarity was unnecessary
While there are vulgar people in every time period, was it really necessary to focus so much on it? The story would have been so much better without it. Also, the glorification of prostitution was disgusting. The writer made it seem like a noble profession and like the women engaging in it were happy. That part was very unrealistic and unfair to the women that were forced to live that way because they were robbed of making a living on their own.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Reggi Norton
- 16-04-23
Repetitive,
same ole, same ole,….got tired of the same story repeating itself. Did not finish.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Lucky
- 02-04-23
Meh
I persevered, probably longer than I should have, but I just couldn’t finish it. Halfway through, I realized I just didn’t care about the characters.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lexi Berry
- 10-12-22
Strong Women, History, and Chaucer
Strong Women, History, and Chaucer — One could hardly ask for more! The research, writing, and narration were excellent as well.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Melonie Wargo
- 21-11-22
Yes!
I have read / listened to many many books set in this era. This just might be my favorite. Wonderfully written. Excellently narrated. I will be downloading more of Ms. Brooks books. Highly recommended.
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3 people found this helpful