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The Two Mrs Abbotts
- Narrated by: Patricia Gallimore
- Series: Miss Buncle, Book 3
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
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The scene of this entertaining story is laid in a charming English village. The plot centres round Miss Barbara Buncle, a maiden lady who was obliged to write a book because – as she naively explained – her dividends were so poor. Unfortunately, Miss Buncle had no imagination, so she wrote about her friends – quite kindly and truthfully, of course, for she was a benevolent and veracious soul.
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A very English book
- By Cornish Jan on 11-06-10
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Charlotte Fairlie is a successful, elegant career woman. Still in her 20s, she has landed a job as headmistress of her old school. She is admired and liked by both staff and pupils - but she begins to feel there is something missing in her well-organised life. Then one summer she goes to stay with a young pupil on the remote Scottish Isle of Targ. In the romantic atmosphere of the Highlands, anything can happen - and even the cool, efficient Charlotte surprises herself.
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A very enjoyable read
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When Dinah was 19, Gilbert was a sort of fairy prince. She had loved him madly but gradually she had begun to realise that he was not quite so wonderful. Despite keeping her eyes firmly shut, her heart had known there was something wrong. When Gilbert is killed in a flying accident, she is left with four children to raise. Life is hard, fighting back loneliness and eking out a meagre pension. But when her brother, Dan, newly demobbed from the Navy, arrives to whisk them away to the seaside, Dinah can at last find peace.
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A bit wish washy
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On a beautiful spring day, Julia Harburn sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens enjoying the sunshine. She was wearing a white frock and a large straw hat with a sapphire-blue ribbon which exactly matched her eyes - a strange coincidence, as it turned out, for the blue sapphire was to have a far-reaching influence upon her life. So far, her life had been somewhat dull and circumscribed; but quite suddenly her horizons were enlarged. She began to make new friends.
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Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
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Vivacious, young Hester Christie tries to run her home like clockwork, as would befit the wife of British Army officer, Tim Christie. However hard Mrs Tim strives for seamless living amidst the other army wives, she is always moving flat-out to remember groceries, rule lively children, side-step village gossip and placate her husband with bacon, eggs, toast and marmalade. Left alone for months at a time whilst her husband is with his regiment, Mrs Tim resolves to keep a diary of events large and small in her family life.
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Sarah Morris Remembers
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With the help of her old diaries, Sarah Morris recounts her life story. The daughter of an English vicar, she begins by telling of her happy childhood with her brothers and sister in their country village. As a teenager, Sarah’s brother brings home a friend - Charles, a charming Austrian to whom she quickly becomes close. Over the years they fall in love, but when war breaks out Charles must return to Austria. While she awaits his return, Sarah quietly continues working hard and caring for her family. But she can’t stop wondering if she will ever see her sweetheart again…
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Miss Buncle's Book
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The scene of this entertaining story is laid in a charming English village. The plot centres round Miss Barbara Buncle, a maiden lady who was obliged to write a book because – as she naively explained – her dividends were so poor. Unfortunately, Miss Buncle had no imagination, so she wrote about her friends – quite kindly and truthfully, of course, for she was a benevolent and veracious soul.
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A very English book
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Charlotte Fairlie
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Overall
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-
-
A very enjoyable read
- By P. Parish on 27-07-20
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Young Mrs Savage
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Overall
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When Dinah was 19, Gilbert was a sort of fairy prince. She had loved him madly but gradually she had begun to realise that he was not quite so wonderful. Despite keeping her eyes firmly shut, her heart had known there was something wrong. When Gilbert is killed in a flying accident, she is left with four children to raise. Life is hard, fighting back loneliness and eking out a meagre pension. But when her brother, Dan, newly demobbed from the Navy, arrives to whisk them away to the seaside, Dinah can at last find peace.
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A bit wish washy
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The Blue Sapphire
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On a beautiful spring day, Julia Harburn sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens enjoying the sunshine. She was wearing a white frock and a large straw hat with a sapphire-blue ribbon which exactly matched her eyes - a strange coincidence, as it turned out, for the blue sapphire was to have a far-reaching influence upon her life. So far, her life had been somewhat dull and circumscribed; but quite suddenly her horizons were enlarged. She began to make new friends.
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Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Vivacious, young Hester Christie tries to run her home like clockwork, as would befit the wife of British Army officer, Tim Christie. However hard Mrs Tim strives for seamless living amidst the other army wives, she is always moving flat-out to remember groceries, rule lively children, side-step village gossip and placate her husband with bacon, eggs, toast and marmalade. Left alone for months at a time whilst her husband is with his regiment, Mrs Tim resolves to keep a diary of events large and small in her family life.
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Excellent - highly recommended
- By balzar on 20-06-19
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Sarah Morris Remembers
- By: D. E. Stevenson
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
With the help of her old diaries, Sarah Morris recounts her life story. The daughter of an English vicar, she begins by telling of her happy childhood with her brothers and sister in their country village. As a teenager, Sarah’s brother brings home a friend - Charles, a charming Austrian to whom she quickly becomes close. Over the years they fall in love, but when war breaks out Charles must return to Austria. While she awaits his return, Sarah quietly continues working hard and caring for her family. But she can’t stop wondering if she will ever see her sweetheart again…
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Since being widowed, Caroline Dering has been content to live her life solely for her children. Then the mysterious Robert Shepperton arrives in the village. At first, Caroline's gentle heart is simply touched by his obvious unhappiness; until gradually she finds her sympathy turning into love. But the visit of her lovely younger sister, Harriet, to Vittoria Cottage, throws Caroline into a turmoil - because Harriet also falls for Mr. Shepperton....
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Married at 19, Katherine had four years of happiness with her beloved Gerald. When he dies, she is left on her own to bring up a stepson, Simon, and her own little twins. She has known what it is to be loved and cherished, and without Gerald, all she wants is independence, and the freedom to bring up his children as he would have liked. When an unexpected letter arrives for Simon, offering him a very different life, Katherine is concerned that he makes the right choice.
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Despite his passionate love for Ardfalloch, Iain has been driven to let his home and estate to Mr Hetherington Smith, a wealthy London businessman, and his kindly wife (who was, truth be told, happier when they were poor). MacAslan stays on in a cottage by the loch, aided by his devoted keeper Donald and Donald’s wife, Morag. But he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Linda Medworth and her young son, invited to Ardfalloch by Mrs Hetherington Smith.
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Charlotte Dean enjoys nothing more than the solitude of her London flat and the monotonous days of her work at a travel bookshop. But when her younger sister unceremoniously bursts into her quiet life one afternoon, Charlotte's world turns topsy-turvy. Beloved author D. E. Stevenson captures the intricacies of post-World War I England with a light, comic touch that perfectly embodies the spirit of the time. Alternatively heartbreaking and witty, The Young Clementina is a touching tale of love, loss and redemption through friendship.
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Charming story about lovely people, such a restful read
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The Diary of a Provincial Lady
- Penguin Classics
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It's not easy being a Provincial Lady in Devonshire in the 1920s, juggling a grumpy husband, mischievous children and a host of domestic dilemmas - from rice mould to a petulant cook. But this Provincial Lady will not be defeated; not by wayward flower bulbs, not by unexpected houseguests, not even by the Blitz. She will continue to preside over the W.I., endure rain-drenched family picnics and succeed as a published author, all the while tending to her strawberries.
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Five young Ayrtons all grew up at Amberwell, playing in the gardens and preparing themselves to venture out into the world. To each of these children, Amberwell meant something different, but common to all of them was the idea that Amberwell was more than just where they lived - it was part of them.
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In 1137 the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the remains of Saint Winifred for his Benedictine order. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales, where they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines' offer for the saint's relics. Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn't surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winifred herself dealt the blow.
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A Morbid Taste For Bones
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The Musgraves
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The tangled destinies of an unusual family are played out against the backdrop of the English countryside where two pretty sisters and a beautiful widow take centre stage in a drama of dangerous flirtation and backstairs gossip. Esther Musgrave, an attractive widow, has her hands full trying to keep her energetic family together – and on speaking terms! Her three daughters, prickly Delia, sensible Meg and carefree Rose, mean everything to her, especially since the death of her husband, Charles.
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Emily Dennistoun
- By: D. E. Stevenson
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Emily Dennistoun lives alone with her elderly tyrannical father at Borriston Hall on the Scottish coast. Her mother died many years before, and her younger brother is at Oxford, presented with opportunities that Emily can only dream of. She has few friends and lives through her writing. Then she meets Francis, and despite vicissitudes of fortune, despite uncertainties, loneliness, and unhappiness, Emily holds steadfast to a love she knows is true.
Summary
Mrs Abbott is flustered at the thought of putting up a lady from the Red Cross, but is happily surprised when she turns out to be an old friend from her previous life as Miss Buncle, infamous writer.
Of course, she’s now far too busy with her children to write, not to mention helping out in the lives of the villagers. And with a possible spy in their midst, evacuated families, potential love matches and a visit from a famous writer, she’s got her work cut out for her. Luckily for her, the other Mrs Abbott is around to help.
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What listeners say about The Two Mrs Abbotts
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Harriet
- 30-06-12
Further Adventures of Miss Buncle.
Our family loves Miss Buncle and it is so nice to have the third volume about her life. These books remind me very much of the Miss Reed books. Quiet and gentle but enough story and character development to keep you reading page after page. My 16 year old daughter also listened very quickly to all three novels. THese are perfect summer listens, when you don't want to be stressed and just need some good entertainment.
I do concur with the other reviewers that Ms. Gallimore's voice for the 'other' Mrs. Abbott was rather annoying. It did not stop me from enjoying the book and was only a minor annoyance.
I listened a couple of months ago to all three books and have enjoyed re-listening to them with my daughter. I could see myself listening again too. Did I say I like these books?!!!
5 people found this helpful
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- Alisha
- 13-08-12
Charming, especially if you're already a fan
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would recommend this to anyone who is familiar with and likes D.E. Stevenson's low-key, gentle style. She can be really funny or ironic sometimes, but mostly she is good at creating characters that are a pleasure to know. There is occasionally a moment or two of dramatic incident, but the general format of the story is more about everyday occurrences and domestic affairs. People too often compare modern authors with Jane Austen, and I hesitate to do that here, but a person who likes Austen may very well find themselves enjoying Stevenson.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Two Mrs Abbotts?
One of the more memorable moments was when Miss Marks, the ultra-educated housekeeper, manages to disarm a sleeping German spy. This isn't really that kind of a book--it's not an adventure or a thriller, which makes it all the more hilarious when the catching of the spy just sort of...happens! And then they go on with the rest of their day.
What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?
I grew to like the narrator's voice for Barbara Abbott, Jane Watt, and Miss Marks. However, I did NOT like her voice for the younger Mrs. Abbott, Jerry, and wasn't all that keen on some of her men's voices. It is a testimony to the excellence of the story itself that those things didn't put me off as much as they might have and I am left with memories of a truly enjoyable story.
4 people found this helpful
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- Constance
- 27-07-11
Gentle, elegantly written comedy
Go back to the England of small villages and polite manners and enjoy the highly individual humor of the Miss Abbot series. I laughed out loud a number of times, chuckled frequently, and smiled all the way through this well narrated and delightfully imagined story of English village life during World War 2.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jerri C
- 20-08-10
More D. E. Stevenson can be nothing but good
What a delight to have yet another book by D. E. Stevenson to listen to. I loved Miss Buncle's Book and Miss Buncle Married, so it is wonderful to get to find out what happens next to Barbara Buncle Abbott and her friends and family. With any luck we can hear the rest of this story in The Four Graces, then get more Stevenson.
5 people found this helpful
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- Marina Green
- 26-12-11
Excellent story and characters
What did you love best about The Two Mrs Abbotts?
It's full of interesting characters, both men and women, living in England during WWII and coping with problems caused by the war, as well as trying to lead their own lives. This story includes a family who leave London during bombing raids to live in the country, but hate country life. Their personalities clash almost comically with the customs of the
Who was your favorite character and why?
The main character is a gentle woman who works tirelessly for others and eventually has her reward when she finds love (this is the main theme of most of DE Stevenson's books).
Did Patricia Gallimore do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?
Ms Gallimore did distinguish the various characters, but her voice seemed a bit grating and harsh at times. And the main character had a very unpleasant voice, which was unfortunate since she narrates much of the book.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
How I spent World War II in the English countryside.
1 person found this helpful
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- Corna
- 02-01-12
Revisiting an old Favourite
Is there anything you would change about this book?
The narrator. She read with a trilling voice which may have been modish at that time but is somewhat irritating to a more modern reader.
What did you like best about this story?
The picture it sketches of life in Britain during WWII. It manages to remain interesting although it only deals with the daily life in a small village and how ordinary people coped with wartime shortages and stresses.
Did Patricia Gallimore do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?
No. She would have done better not to try to use different voices but just to read the story with clear indication when one person stops speaking and the next one starts. Jerry has a very irritating voice and none of the others really comes out well.
Did The Two Mrs Abbotts inspire you to do anything?
They did not really inspire but their doings were soothing and reminiscent of a slower age.
2 people found this helpful
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- Minda Leah Kahn
- 02-01-19
Destroyed by poor narration
I don’t know who Patricia Gallimore is but she is the worst narrator in audible books. This is the last of the Bunkle series, a book I read every year. The narrator is too old and her characters be they children or the elderly are just awful.
The rights have been asserted by the author. If the Stevenson family cared to make money they would have this re-recorded.
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- Ora
- 13-11-16
could you please add to your library of books more
Where does The Two Mrs Abbotts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
D E Stevensons books are amazing. Please please add Mrs. Tim carries through and Mrs. Tim finds a Job.
thanks
ora
What does Patricia Gallimore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
she is fantastic
Any additional comments?
please add Mrs. Tim Carries On