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  • The Morning Gift

  • By: Eva Ibbotson
  • Narrated by: Kate Lock
  • Length: 16 hrs and 18 mins
  • 3.6 out of 5 stars (53 ratings)

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The Morning Gift cover art

The Morning Gift

By: Eva Ibbotson
Narrated by: Kate Lock
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Summary

Ruth lives in Vienna and is wildly in love with Heini Radik, a brilliant young pianist. When Hitler’s forces invade, Ruth’s family flees to London, but she cannot get a passport.

Quin, a young professor and friend of the family, visits Ruth and offers a marriage of convenience. On their return to London, Quin begins to fall desperately in love with her. But then Heini turns up.…

©1993 Eva Ibbotson (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd

What listeners say about The Morning Gift

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

just lovely and absorbing!

One of my favorite books from my teenage years, the rare thing of a genuinely great romance, but with scope and humour and intelligence.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Still loved listening to it the second time

Great audiobook - if you love a romance then this is for you! I have listened to it twice and enjoyed it equally both times

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great book but didn't need the Austrian accents.

I defy anyone to not enjoy this book. Eva Ibbotson is a wonderful writer and though I don't usually read romance novels, I read this because Marian Keyes recommended it. the audio, though still enjoyable is ruined by the decision of the narrator to use Austrian accents. I don't do this when I read so why would I want to hear it when read to me?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Sweet

Quite sweet but a bit of a standard love will out story with every silly obstacle and misunderstanding that in all books of this I’ll

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars

unlistenable

I love Eva Ibbotson but couldn't get close to finishing due to ludicrous OTT narration

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Appalling narration

I loved A Song for Summer so bought this to listen to while I sewed scrubs. I’ve got as far as Chapter 7 but the attempt of the narrator to ‘do’ various accents has made me think twice about finishing it. I have just bought the Kindle version of the book and shall read it myself!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Atrocious Narration

This is a wonderful book. I was really looking forward to listening to it, unfortunately it was ruined by really bad narration. The narrator puts on a fake Austrian accent for much of the book which ruins the personalities of the characters and is unbearable to listen to. I gave up in the end. Such a shame that more attention is not given to the quality of narration - I'm sure Kate Lock is capable of a lovely performance

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story RUINED by this narrator

Who gave this narrator the job
There must have been no editor or producer to supervise
Absolutely terrible narration. The voices for the characters, tempo. Sentiment. All terrible
Ruined the story completely

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

torture yo my ears

This was a book club read and I decided to have an audio version so that I could listen to it while cooking and washing up as I find it hard to find time to sit and read.
Right from the beginning the narrator grated on my nerves. She over exaggerated every character's accent which turned them into characatures. She made Ruth sound like an old lady or a simpering idiot and totally ruined my enjoyment of the romance between her and Quin. it was like being in an episode of Allo Allo at times!!!
I had to stick with it as I didn't want to purchase the book when I had already bought the audio. It was however torture to the ears from start to end. I believe that this narrator should stick to narrating children's books. A well written and interesting book was reduced to a joke. Judging by the reviews I am not alone in my thoughts about this narrator. It has made me wary about purchasing any more fiction audible books. I will certainly read the reviews beforehand from now on.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great book spoilt

I love Eva Ibbotson and this book but this a painful rendition. I usually listen to audio books at bedtime but I find this version actually stressful to listen to. The way the characters are voiced is both irritating and a poor reflection of the way their characters are described.

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2 people found this helpful