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Title: Heartstone
Author: C. J. Sansom
Narrator: Anton Lesser
Format: Abridged
Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
Language: English
Release date: 09-09-10
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
Summer, 1545. England is at war. Henry VIIIs invasion of France has gone badly wrong, and a massive French fleet is preparing to sail across the Channel. As the English fleet gathers at Portsmouth, the country raises the largest militia army it has ever seen. The King has debased the currency to pay for the war, and England is in the grip of soaring inflation and economic crisis.
Meanwhile Matthew Shardlake is given an intriguing legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. Asked to investigate claims of monstrous wrongs committed against a young ward of the court, which have already involved one mysterious death, Shardlake and his assistant Barak journey to Portsmouth.
Once arrived, Shardlake and Barak find themselves in a city preparing to become a war zone; and Shardlake takes the opportunity to also investigate the mysterious past of Ellen Fettipace, a young woman incarcerated in the Bedlam. The emerging mysteries around the young ward, and the events that destroyed Ellens family 19 years before, involve Shardlake in reunions both with an old friend and an old enemy close to the throne. Events will converge on board one of the Kings great warships, primed for battle in Portsmouth harbour....
Members Reviews:
Abridged ?
Sansom and Lesser great as always but why was it necessary to abridge the book ?
Excellent book, well read
CJ Sansom's lawyer/detective is once again on a royal job that he doesn't particularly want. The writing is inspired and together with the actual historical events that are entwined in the story line, the Matthew Shardlake series of books are a pleasure to read... you can almost "smell" the 16th Century from the description. And, Anton Lesser's narration is once again excellent... just enough accent and voice change between characters to recognise each one, without getting into the world of silly voices!
If you haven't read one of these yet, I really recommend starting with "Dissolution" and going through in order, but if you start here you'll still enjoy the ride!
Intriguing, historically accurate story.
Would you consider the audio edition of Heartstone to be better than the print version?
First CJ Hanson novel so can't compare
What other book might you compare Heartstone to, and why?
Phillipa Gregory for the interweaving of history and fiction
What does Anton Lesser bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?
He gives the character's their voice which I can't do in my head.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Intriguing,murder mystery set in Tudor England
Any additional comments?
My first C J Hanson novel but definitely not the last - so glad my friend recommended the novels.. Going to put another on my ipod for a long haul flight - I'd rather listen to a book than watch a movie.
Tudor times brought to life
Where does Heartstone rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?
The best
Who was your favorite character and why?
Matthew Shardlake is an honest compassionate lawyer who you'd be glad to have on your side if you were in trouble.A warm, kind, sensitive man who has to bear the affliction of being a hunchback in a time when such a condition aroused fear and suspicion.
What does Anton Lesser bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?
Anton Lesser is simply the best reader.
