uneasy and troubled main character

Initially I enjoyed the story and characters, however ,by the time I had listened to chapter 8, the story made me feel uncomfortable, the characture of Beatrice, was wholly abhorrent to me, she was a troubled and thoroughly wicked person, the type of person, I would avoid like the plague, therefore I decided that even though it is only fictional, I cannot listen anymore.

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38 people found this helpful

Spectacularly Evil

I had read this book years ago when it first came out and Philippa Gregory wasn't anywhere near as famous as she is now. I loved it then and I love it now. Our heroine, Beatrice Lacey, allows nothing to stand in her way in pursuit of power and the estate she loves, Wideacre. Sadly Beatrice corrupts not only herself and those around her but also the thing she loves most, Wideacre.

I sometimes despaired of justice being served and there will be no spoilers from me but the book is gripping and definitely one of Philippa's best. I loved the narration, however in some of the characters voices Emma Powell almost mispronounced 'Beatrice' as 'Bitches'. It was really disconcerting on occasion!

Altogether a book well worth listening to for the story and the narration.

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28 people found this helpful

Uncomfortable but gripping

The plot of this book is not for the faint hearted be warned, it has some very uncomfortable themes like incest etc. But some morbid curiosity keeps you going, no matter how much you want to shy away. You’ll end up despising the main character, but you’ll still want to see how her plots unfold.

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2 people found this helpful

Enjoy it very much

Not my usual thing but I was pleasantly surprised that l enjoyed very much …made a change for me

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1 person found this helpful

Well read but not enjoyed the story

I’ve liked other Phillipa Gregory novels but having listened to about half way through I can’t find any redeeming features in the main character.

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A great listen

A really interesting listen and even though over 20 hours, I was captured throughout.
In this book, the narrator is excellent and added a lot to the story.
The characters are well developed and there is a real toy for the listener between love and hate throughout for the main character Beatrice.
A very good listen and I look forward to listening to the rest of the trilogy.

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Compelling but disturbing

I love the eighteenth century and feel Gregory really brought the pre industrial revolution era to life, capturing the day to day of both high society and the rural working class. In terms of the story, I was utterly engrossed but there were times when the narrative was difficult to bear, so much so I had to stop listening before being able to return. It was hard hearing Beatrice’s utter fall from grace and yet I had to stay with her till the end.

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Brilliant novel and I couldn't stop listening!

superbly read, this is one of the best novels I have heard on audible. it was gripping and I could hardly stop listening! what a tale! I am now starting the next one! loved every page! Well It was read to me so well but I'd highly recommend!

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Obsession

This was truly traumatic to listen too. To love a piece of land that much above everything else. I found it hard to believe that she as a young girl would not have had a guardian and be left to run the family estate. I thought travelling would widen her horizons, that’s there was a world outside of wideacre. I know this is a novel but it really evoked emotions. I won’t be reading the next book.

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An unexpectedly difficult listen.

It was to me at times ‘Mills & Boon’ but at other times pornographic! I feel the descriptions of inncesstoeus sex were too graphic for the genre of the book and as the main story is suitable and acceptable to older children and teens maybe there should be a ‘ Warning of explicit sexual descriptions’ with the title details?
Having said that, it was a compelling read following brilliantly written characterisation of a generation of wealthy children who are all in some way contaminated by their inheritance.
The main character was, as has been said in previous reviews, tragically complex and depraved by wealth and the storyline so compelling in its power to draw the reader into that character always with the hope of her redemption, yet knowing she would not find it!

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