The Last Runaway

Bad accents!

Sorry Laurel, but you can't do a Brizzol Aaaacent! I wish you'd not tried - I appreciate you're trying to differentiate the characters, but the effect was (to my ear - English native) anoying every time you tried to adopt the colloquial.

Aside from that, a good yarn - some interesting insight into a fascinating slice of history. Well researched, well written, enough going on to keep my interest.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Quilting in the 1850's

I love Tracy Chevalier books and have read several. I like the way she tells the story and makes it interesting. I really enjoyed this and the way the story moved forward and to learn and feel part of the hard life early American settlers had. The life of the Quakers was not a particularly easy one and also the choices available to single women was not easy. I enjoyed reading about the Quilting and the various patterns. The story dragged on a bit towards the end but I did enjoy it and I would recommend it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Beautifully narrated

This is definitely not my usual kind of listen but I listened to it for my book group and I am so glad I did! This is a very gentle, easy listen and Laurel Lefkow narrates it beautifully. There are excellent, illuminating descriptions of life in 1850s America and Chevalier really brings to life the world of the Quakers and the process of quilting without going ino too much detail. I was a little disappointed at the lack of detail given about slavery and the lives of the slaves but this did not detract from my enjoyment. I did feel that the middle of the novel was the weakest part - the plot didn't really move along and felt rather stuck. However, this is a fairly short book that works well on audio and although it may be lacking in plot the outstanding writing and narration make it an excellent listen.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A Must for Quilters!

Would you listen to The Last Runaway again? Why?

I probably will listen again, as it's just the sort of story to listen to while sewing or gardening. There was lots of information about the Quakers, which interests me, and also a huge amount of detail about making quilts. Did women really quilt double handed?

What other book might you compare The Last Runaway to, and why?

A recent book I have read was The Help - about the negro women working in white households in the southern states of the USA at the time of Martin Luther King. This book has stayed with me over the months, so it was good to find so much in the Last Runaway about the days of black struggle during slavery - particularly to find that the Quakers were practical supporters of freedom.

What didn’t you like about Laurel Lefkow’s performance?

Her accent was irritating at times, particularly when she tried to speak Dorset and it came out Yorkshire. Several mispronounciations of words also grated.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Goodness, no! Far too long. However it divided up neatly into chapters, and I read it over about 4 days.

Any additional comments?

Characterisation was good on the whole: Belle was particularly good, although Honour's husband very light-weight. The device of using letters as commentary was particularly effective, as in letters to Bessie.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Heartwarming

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Just did.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Honour, Honour is a Quaker, a very kind, gentle girl who leaves her family and friends in England for a new life in America. Things do not go as they should, however this brings out her strength of character and determination. All done without raising her voice.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

There are many, but forced to choose it would be when her husband's family are faced with the concequences of their actions ( or in the case I actions)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Dorcas tells Honour what happened to her father.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and all the characters are well rounded. I found myself really disliking the mother in law. Wanting to give Jack a shake and tell him to stand up for his wife. I particularly liked the way the runaways are portrayed. Although not much is known about them, there is enough that you still feel their pain,be they hiding in the hay, or in the cubbyhole with splinters digging into their back. I found myself willing the little girl not to cough. Really became involved in their desire to escape and wishing them well.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

making your way through life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

this book was great to listen to, it just flowed all the way through, you really felt for the characters and wanted to know what was going to happen next. an interesting, easy listen. a girl trying to find her way in the world, just like the rest of us . . . .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent book

What made the experience of listening to The Last Runaway the most enjoyable?

I love Tracy Chevaliers book and this did not disappoint . As usual you get a great feeling of time and place as Chevalier evokes atmosphere so well.
It gives an interesting view in to the Quaker life style ,quilting ,slavery and life in a new world !
I enjoyed the book as a holiday read but found the story moving and the characters credible and as usual got a great feel for the period and the way of life
Would recommend

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Thoughtful, inspiring & utterly compelling listen

This is the journey of the very quiet Honour Bright - who leaves the closely knit Quaker community in Dorset when her fiance meets another and releases her of her obligation - to travel with her outgoing, noisy sister Grace to America, where Grace is to marry an old family friend. This story is not just about the physical travels of Honour into a completely different landscape but also the growth of Honour's own character. Slavery and the Quaker's attitude to this at the heart of this story - but it is impossible to say any more without giving away the plot.
Tracey Chevalier is one of my favourite authors and yet again I can say this tale is not "more of the same" but something completely different. I have now recommended this to everyone I know and can only hope the book reads as well as it is narrated by Laurel Lefkow who does a truly wonderful job.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Superb story

10 out of 10 for this wonderfull book, this will be in my top 5 books, I loved it.
Such an interesting story with lots of twists and turns.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

It was hard to be a quaker during slavery

As well written as you would expect from Tracy Chevalier with plenty of tension and worry about how the heroine will end up.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful