A story well told

This story of a good woman, trapped by her circumstances and forced to lead a life of dull routine until her life is changed by an unusual letter, is what library readers a generation ago would have called a “good book”. Set as it is in the 1950s, the author’s fluent story-telling and skilled character creation would have enthralled readers of the time. They are qualities that work every bit as well now, although the ending is clearly more of this time. Here a good book becomes even more engaging when enhanced by the exemplary reading it gets in this audio book version.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Sad

I didn’t enjoy it very much…too gloomy for me.
I found the narrators intonations weird at times.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Realistic characters and a fresh plot

I really wanted to know what would happen next! The characters are plausible and relatable: the suburban context familiar. There was a slight tension between the author's modern take on love and life and my understanding of 50's Britain but this really provided the intrigue.
The narration was a little distracting ; her male voices sounded like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk but managed to get over that znd yo really enjoy this story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Unbearable narrator

I suffered through this as I don't like to leave a book unfinished. The narrator was truly awful, giving the end of every sentence a frustrating intonation which left me unable to fully focus on the story which would have otherwise been enjoyable despite a slightly unsatisfactory ending. I will avoid any further books with this narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A lovely intimate story

I loved all the little details in this story. The characters all felt very real.

I did struggle with the ending as it related to a less central character and that made it feel like the story for everyone else (all women) just stopped.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A beautiful, and evocative story of love, loss, duty and endurance

This is a beautiful book, which evokes the 1950s, that hinterland, not long after the war, and before the more ‘swinging’ time of the 1960s. The 1950s, where small pleasures of domestic life, such as setting your hair in curlers and making do and mending your well worn clothing, was as exciting as it got for many women. This forms the rich background of Clare Chambers’s story. Narrator, Karen Cass, brings to life the cast of sympathetic characters in a moving tale of love, loss, duty and endurance in which The protagonist, Jean, investigates the story of a woman who claims to have had a virgin birth. It’s a great listen. I found myself completely immersed in the era, and caught up in the drama and emotions of the characters. Highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very touching

really good book and endearing story, but for the computer generated narratives. would recommend. lovley.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Absolutely loved it !

Really liked this book loved the character descriptions and empathised with the characters. A book that surprised me by its unusual storyline. Great narrator will definitely read more by this author.. very glad I chose this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Terrible narration

The dialogues were ok but the rest, oh my, it's like listening to a robot talk. Her intonation was awful, while listening to the story I was just thinking about how this read was even approved. Such a shame. I'll pick up the book now and I hope that won't remind me of this terrible experience of listening to this monotonous sound.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

loved it

really loved this book such an interesting story and I liked thst it was set in the 50s weird attitudes back then

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!