Listen to Top 100 Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical

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Title: The Dressmaker

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Kate Alcott

Narrator: Susan Duerden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-21-12

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 333 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tesss sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordons questionable actions during the tragedy. Others - including the gallant Midwestern tycoon - are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.

From the Hardcover edition

Critic Reviews:

We all know how the Titanic went down, we all saw the movie. But what happened after? This brilliant book shows the aftermath of the tragedy, seen through the eyes of a brave, young girl who was on board, on her way to America, to start a new life as a dressmaker. From the minute Tess sets foot on the doomed ship, this is the kind of novel you simply cannot put down and cannot forget. (Tatiana de Rosnay, author of Sarah's Key and A Secret Kept)

"This is a fascinating premise for a novel as well as a powerful, page-turning read. It's also a very valuable contribution to our understanding of the events surrounding the sinking of The Titanic, and its aftermath." (Isabel Wolff, author of A Vintage Affair)

"It's Titanic revisited, in a romance focused on the survivors and the scandal, seen from the perspective of an aspiring seamstress whose fortunes intertwine with real characters from the epic tragedy....interesting historical facts...an appealing, soulful freshness to this shrewdly commercial offering" (Kirkus)

Members Reviews:

Good story, awful narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator's intonation and way of reading is very distracting. I could not get past the first 15 minutes. I tried, I wanted to get immersed into the story, which is very good, but found Duerden's delivery frustrating.

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan Duerdens performances?

Absolutely not. I will avoid wasting a credit on a book read by her.

Probably a good story, but couldn't finish it...

I love novels like this and it started out to be a good story, however I just couldn't get past the narrator. I gave it a half-hour hoping she would get better, but sadly that wasn't the case. Not only did she whisper most of what she read, but her tone had an odd, repetitive cadence to it. It was entirely too distracting. I moved onto something else...

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Title: Golden Earrings

Author: Belinda Alexandra

Narrator: Caroline Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-12

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 426 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Catalina, the grand-daughter of Spanish refugees is a disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet. Little gets inthe way of her career until the visit of an otherworldly being, who leaves her a mysterious pair of golden earrings.

Given a quest, Catalina realises she must explore her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and La Rusa, a young Andalusian flamenco star.

La Rusa died in exile in Paris in 1952, her death ruled as suicide. But as Catalina begins to discover, there were those in the Spanish émigré community, amongst them her grandmother, who had good reason for wanting La Rusa dead.

Members Reviews:

Needed to get halfway through to begin enjoying it

I kept with this book, even though the first half bored me. I normally love Caroline Lee as a narrator, but she kept falling out of the accent (for example, sometimes rolling her Rs, sometimes not, in the same sentence). That, along with too much emphasis on describing ladies' dresses and such, made the book seem shallow for quite some time. Halfway through, the plot began to thicken and I began to feel a bit more empathy for the characters. A good listen, if you can make it to that point.

Fabulous story

I loved this story and was so sorry when it finished. Belinda Alexandra is a fabulous story teller and this is yet another of wonderful story. This time set in Spain and Paris which is quite different to her previous novels. I did not know much about the Spanish civil war or Spanish culture and I found this fascinating. It was well researched. The characters are varied and complex. I am hoping that there will be many more novels written by this author.

Highly recommended.

painfully poor Spanish pronunciation

Would you consider the audio edition of Golden Earrings to be better than the print version?

I wish I had read instead of listening. The painfully bad Spanish pronunciation, especially of the names of some primary characters, was a constant irritant to the listening experience.

What did you like best about this story?

Rich and interesting story that unfolds beautifully.

Would you be willing to try another one of Caroline Lees performances?

Not if she had to pronounce Spanish words!

Too much political storyline!

As a woman of Spanish decent, I was so excited to be reading a story I thought would go more into the details of Spanish life both present and past; however, their was so much one dimensional political story telling that I was left blah and somewhat disheartened. several times I had decided not to finish the book, but the basic story was good and intriguing. I have loved the other books I have read maybe because the unrest of the characters were not so close to home. Maybe because my father's account of Franco was different. oh well I still look forward to another one of Belinda's books.

Enchanting!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would because it is a good story about a time and place in history few of my friends know little about. I loved how we get carried into te history of the Spanish civil war in all its grusomeness.

What did you like best about this story?

The author's formidable knowledge of history, and her ability to tell it in an interesting way.

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Title: Dynasty 1: The Founding

Author: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Narrator: Christopher Scott

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-12

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 79 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

This wonderful series opens with the back drop of the Wars of the Roses with the marriage between Eleanor Morland and a scion of the influential house of Beaufort. It is a union which establishes the powerful Morland dynasty and in the succeeding volumes of this rich tapestry of English life, we follow their fortunes through war and peace, political upheaval and social revolution, times of pestilence and periods of plenty, and through the vicissitudes which afflict every family - love and passion, envy and betrayal, birth and death, great fortune and miserable penury.

The Morland Dynasty is entertainment of the most addictive kind.

Members Reviews:

So Entertaining and Interesting!

I have now listened to 3 books in this series. What a fun time. The series will provide historical fiction lovers with hours of good listening. So far the stories are not "gummy" with ridiculous,sticky romantic writing. There is enough romance blended with ficticious events to develop a very good story that holds the listeners' attention. If you enjoy well developed fictional characters mixed with actual historical people and events this is the series for you. The listener can get a birds eye view of Britsh history without feeling bogged down. I hope Audible will provide the entire series for us to enjoy as I will pruchase all of them without hesitation.

A great start! Good characters, good history

If you could sum up Dynasty 1: The Founding in three words, what would they be?

Engaging historically-believable characters

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dynasty 1: The Founding?

Sorry--no spoilers!!! I hate spoilers. But the book is great.

Which character as performed by Christopher Scott was your favorite?

The main character. Though female, the voice rendition was not annoying.

If you could rename Dynasty 1: The Founding, what would you call it?

This name fits it best.

Any additional comments?

I read a couple of CHE's 20th century books in this series a while back and decided I wanted to go back and pick up the family from the beginning. I unfortunately read her 20th century books at the same time as Follett's Fall of Giants, which was better, perhaps because it had to cover multiple cultural grounds quickly and not just one ancient family's descendants. But this Dynasty 1 book has me interested in this family again, and I'll keep going in the series for sure.

Great historical series.

Any additional comments?

This is a well-researched historical series by an author who weaves 'real' history into the lives of her full characters. I am not going to review each book individually, as I loved and read them all. Historical series do not find publication as easily nowadays as they used to do, so this one was a real treat. There are a few more not available on audible as yet, but I shall acquire them as they become available.

Awesome historical fiction

If you love historical fiction, read this book. Love it! The saga of the Morland family is interwoven into the War of the Roses time period in this first book in the series. It's a great beginning to an awesome series.

Addictive - and 19 books in the series... so far..

It is so hard to find good books with a good reader. A good book for me has to be unabridged, reasonably intelligent, well written, engrossing, not have explicit and badly written sex scenes - and have a certain something that makes it stand out.

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Title: Copperhead: Ball's Bluff, 1862

Subtitle: The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles, Book 2

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Ed Sala

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-08-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 99 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Bernard Cornwell, an English journalist and novelist, has lived in America for almost two decades. The Starbuck Chronicles combine his extensive knowledge of military history and his considerable literary talents. This series puts you on the smoke-filled battlefields of the Civil War and in the company of its heroes and villains.

Boston-born Nate Starbuck is a Copperhead. He has turned away from his Northern family and is fighting for the Confederate Army. Charged by the excitement of war, he is a fearless soldier. But when he is accused of leaking military information, Nate finds himself labeled a spy by both the North and the South. Now, nowhere is safe for him. Copperhead continues the saga begun in Rebel. As you follow young Starbuck, youll see the brilliant strategies and unexpected blunders that shape the path of the Civil War. Narrator Ed Salas performance conveys the passion and drama of this vivid historical series.

Members Reviews:

Good Listen

I read the Starbuck books when they first came out and loved them. This is a good narration. At first I though the narrator's voice was a little to rough and not southern enough. But it grew me. His really did a great job with the battle scenes and with building the intensity through the novel. One mispronunciation irritated me -- I guess I thought the word "quay" was pronounced "key". maybe I have it wrong . . .

Solid effort

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if he or she were a civil war buff, or just generally liked a good adventure story. It seemed that the descriptions of the specifics of the war went on a long time and became a little repetitive. Best part are the characters and their interrelationships-their motivations.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably Old Man Treslow-he had a ton of integrity and grit. All the others had some serious flaws of basic character.

Have you listened to any of Ed Salas other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just the first book in this series and his work is about the same.

If you could take any character from Copperhead: Ball's Bluff, 1862 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Delaney-he's sharp, cynical and entertaining.

Any additional comments?

I'll probably eventually listen to the whole series, Cornwell seems to get you hooked on his stories.

Copperhead

Where does Copperhead: Ball's Bluff, 1862 rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

I enjoyed Copperhead just as much as all the other Nathaniel Starbuck stories.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy reading about both sides not trusting Nathaniel and how he got himself out of trouble with both.

What does Ed Sala bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I think the author does a great job of mingling historical fact and great characters. It kept me fascinated and wrapped up in the story line the whole time.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I found no problems with Ed Sala's performance, I enjoy his voice and the different inflections he displays during the reading.

Intriguing story with excellent narration

Direct and realistic portrayal, and masterful weaving of fiction with real events.

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Title: The Reverse of the Medal

Subtitle: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 11

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Narrator: Tim Pigott-Smith

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Captain Jack Aubrey, Royal Navy, ashore after a successful cruise, is persuaded by a casual acquaintance to make certain investments in the city. This innocent decision ensnares him in the London criminal underground and in government espionage - the province of his friend Stephen Maturin. Is Aubrey's humiliation and the threatened ruin of his career a deliberate plot? The dark tale is a fitting backdrop to the brilliant characterization and sparkling dialogue which O'Brian's listeners have come to expect. This is the eleventh in O'Brian's 20-volume Aubrey/Maturin series.

Don't miss the rest of the

series.

©1986 Patrick O'Brian; (P)2000 Random House, Inc.; Random House AudioBooks, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"The best historical novels ever written." (The New York Times Book Review)

"No writer alive can move one as O'Brian can; no one can make you laugh so loud with hilarity, whiten your knuckles with unbearable tension or choke with emotion. He is the master." (Irish Times)

Members Reviews:

O brian is the Master and this is one of his experimental gems

O brian is a master storyteller and part of what makes this 21 volume series so addicting is the sheer mastery of the craft . When i first embarked on this literary voyage i was certain that as the volumes progressed the story would become repetitious and predictable. I felt this because how many stories can someone come up with that involves sea voyages and battles. Not only was my suspicion wrong, it is clearly part of his style to come up with totally different scenarios therefore encompassing every literary technique ever.

This number 11 installment is mainly on land but contains one of the longest chase sequences in all of the series so far. This is a great example of the playful structure O Brian utilizes like a painter applying meaning to a canvass. I love when the story goes on land for awhile, its necessary to make the already complex character development work even better. This volume falls into the experimental category --like h.m.s. surprise--and fortune of war. Experimental in that is stands alone apart from segwaying from another volume. While the whole series is essentially one long story some of the volumes explore the human condition deeper than just being at sea and battling other ships can do. This one gets dark in that Jack is being set up and appears to be in the process of military disgrace and possibly jail time. Like H.M.S. surprise Steven takes over the spotlight with Jack in jail. Sure its a little depressing but still has the constant comedic wit. I love how even when he is not at sea his rugged crew literally lives with him (or key member like Killick and Bonden. So back to O'Brien style--he knows its going to get heavy so thats why he makes literally 1/3 of the book a chase--or the first part of the book. Being that there is 21 and this is only the 11th im sure jack and company with get out of this bind.I cant wait to see.

Entertainment at it's finest.

I recall reading somewhere that O'Brian must have realized he started this series too late in historical context due to the popularity of the characters and the story. This book is apparently one of the stories intended to try to stretch out the series.

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Title: Killing Ground

Author: Douglas Reeman

Narrator: David Rintoul

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-02-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 33 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Western Ocean, 1942... From the bridge of HMS Gladiator, Lieutenant-Commander David Howards orders were chillingly clear. There could be no mercy. To the men who fought to protect the vital, threatened Merchant Navy convoys in the Western Approaches, the Battle of the Atlantic was a full-scale war. A relentless, savage war against an ever-present enemy and a violent sea - in an arena known only to its embittered survivors as the killing ground. HMS Gladiator was part of that war.

An ordinary, hard-worked destroyer and her company of men. Fighting for survival in a war with no rules.

Members Reviews:

Very finely rendered

Any additional comments?

David Rintoul's narration is finely matched to this material. So very often this is not the case and I can't decide if it was his perfectly pitched reading or the book itself that held me so tightly to the story.

Beautiful book, but not unabridged!

Any additional comments?

This book is amazing, and i have loved reading it ever since i was a child. However this version does not include the amazing prologue that hooks the reader before the main story even begins.

Please add the prologue to this, otherwise do not claim it as unabridged.

This book is still an amazing read however and i recommend it for all, history buffs or not.

Gripping Drama

Although technology has made naval encounters such as those described in this book out of date, the gripping drama of what it was like is brought to life, painfully so, by the author. I think that listening to this book, rather than reading it, makes it more gripping. The narrator is among the best I've ever listened to.

Even though the author's descriptions were sparse, the narrator made the bridge come alive during the hunt and battle scenes. I found myself tightly and tensely gripping the steering wheel of my car as those scenes unfolded. And the love story against the background of the war was wonderfully played out.

I am going to read/listen to more books from this author and I recommend him to others.

Excellent book Well read

Love this book. Previously listened to it on audio cassete. Reminds me of the cruel sea. David Rintoul is the perfect narrator for Reemans tales of the war at sea. A gripping tale of the Battle of the Atlantic with a variety of characters showing that both sides of a conflict have good and bad amongst them

DM

brilliant . I have been reading Douglas all my life and the stories get better and better

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Title: The Orchid Affair

Author: Lauren Willig

Narrator: Kate Reading

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-20-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 470 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"Pride and Prejudice lives on" (USA Today) in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series, which has been hailed for its addictive blend of history, romance, and adventure. In The Orchid Affair, Willig introduces her strongest heroine yet.

Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura's mission is to report any suspicious findings.

At first, the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen: secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges herself closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought.

As their plots begin to unravel, Laura and Jaouen are forced on the run with the children, and with the help of the Pink Carnation, they escape to the countryside, traveling as husband and wife. But Delaroche will stop at nothing to take down his nemesis. With his men hot on their trail, can Laura and Jaouen seal the fate of Europe before it's too late?

Members Reviews:

Back in Paris!

After two installments that did not deal with the Pink Carnation and France, Lauren Willig brings her readers back to Paris with the Pink Carnation and the Silver Orchid, a graduate of the Selwick's spy school. The plot from the past is satisfying. And the Eloise's personal story takes on surprising turns. Fans of the Pink Carnation series will enjoy this.

Reminds me of The Scarlet Pimpernel :)

If you ever enjoyed The Scarlet Pimpernel books, you'll definitely enjoy The Orchid Affair. I really liked the way the story goes back and forth between contemporary and historic times--two stories in one. This is a very cleverly done novel. I highly recommend it!

Ehhh...I've read better

Would you try another book from Lauren Willig and/or Kate Reading?

Kate Reading yes, Lauren Willig, probably not for a while. I read The Mischief of the Mistletoe about a year ago and loved it. I thought this would have a similar feel. I like light humor and tongue and cheek banter between characters. This didn't have much of it.

I also seriously disliked the whole contemporary story line thrown in. It seemed totally out of place and I fast forwarded through most of it. Granted, I've not read/listned to any other of the Pink Carnation series. I would imagine the contemporary story line makes more sense to those who have read other books in the series.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm not sure yet. I usually go for the sale items.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I'm not too picky about readers, but in a romance novel I much prefer a female reader. Kate Reading does an excellent job reading both male and female parts. I know some reviewers complained that they could not distinguish between the male voices, I didn't have that problem.

What character would you cut from The Orchid Affair?

I would cut out the contemporary store line.

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Title: Beyond the Reef

Author: Alexander Kent

Narrator: Michael Jayston

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-13-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In March 1808, as Napoleon holds Portugal and threatens his old ally Spain, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho is dispatched once more to the Cape of Good Hope to establish a permanent naval force there. Setting aside his bitter memories and the anguish of a friendship betrayed, Bolitho takes passage in the ill-fated Golden Plover. With him sail others commanded by duty and lured by danger - and those who wish only to escape.

But when shipwreck and disaster overtake the Golden Plover off the desolate coast of Africa, neither the innocent nor the damned are spared. Beyond the tortured hell of the reef, Bolithos battle begins - to summon the survivors last reserves of courage and hope.

Members Reviews:

Good Story brought to life by a great Narrator

I never cease to find Alexander Kent's stories interesting! This tale gives the listener deeper insights into the Characters that we have grown to admire. Michael Jayston's reading brings great realism to the story.

This Book contains the usual highly descriptive action passages but also captures the essence of the fierce love that exists between Kate & her "Dearest of Men", our Hero, Richard Bolitho. A great story, beautifully told!

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Title: The Snow Goose (BBC Radio 4: Classic Serial)

Author: Paul Gallico

Narrator: Steve Mackintosh, Georgia Groome, Deborah Findlay, Sam Dale

Format: Original Recording

Length: 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-11

Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 45 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Paul Gallicos The Snow Goose by Nick Warburton, starring Steven Mackintosh.

When Open Book asked various authors to champion a favourite neglected classic on the programme, Michael Morpurgo chose The Snow Goose - perhaps no surprise, with his own story 'War Horse' depicting a friendship between a boy and his horse which takes them both into the horror of World War I.

In The Snow Goose, A wounded bird brings together a disfigured artist and a young girl on the eve of World War II. With Steven Mackintosh as Philip Rhayader, Georgia Groome as Fritha, Deborah Findlay as Mrs Farnes, and Sam Dale as the storyteller. Also featuring Michael Shelford, Malcolm Tierney, and David Seddon. Directed by Sally Avens.

Members Reviews:

The Snow Goose

This is a wonderful story that I remember from my childhood and plays into the Dunkirk spirit. Britain beleagued and alone, saves her defeated army by sending out every craft on the south coast of England to bring them off the coast of France. A moment in history which is defining for the British. Paul Gallico writes a haunting book and the BBC brings it to life.

Phenomenal

I listened to this story last night and I was absolutely transported. It was so thrilling to listen to the wonderful story and the wonderful dramatic reading. I recommend this to everyone. A beautiful, very very touching story that is unforgettable.

The snowGoose

The beautiful tale by Paul Gallico is wnerfully nariated by a. Superb cast. This is the classic tale of a girl, a bird and a disabled man who are bonded together in a way that they do not understand

Salted caramel so beautifully bitter sweet

Where does The Snow Goose (BBC Radio 4: Classic Serial) rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Out of more that 1000 other books , in the top 5

Any additional comments?

A piece of salted caramel so beautifully bitter sweet that it will bring tears to your eyes or you have not heart. What a story of beauty and joy, the salt of tears and the warm enchanting conclusion your left with that your world in the end, no matter the problem will be OK. The story is like salted caramel. Or getting into a warm bed on a very cold night. Its a delight, there, thats all I can say. Get it. And enjoy a story, you will I assure you be sharing around your family for generations.

The Book is better

The book version had luscious prose and a sentimental but not cheesy story. The audible version is a dramatic reading so it is very much abridged. The actual book has a feeling of the grey, winter landscapes of Northern England. Philip Rhayader reminded me a little bit of Mr. Rochester although his personality is far nicer. Frith is a character very much like her surroundings with her wildness, fear and gentleness. The ending is tragic and yet is very beautiful.

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Title: She Walks in Beauty

Author: Siri Mitchell

Narrator: Suzy Jackson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Multiple Christy Award finalist Siri Mitchell is acclaimed as one of Christian fictions clearest and most original voices. Set in 1890s New York City, She Walks in Beauty follows a young debutante struggling to reconcile the conflicting demands of culture, family, and love.

Tasked with reeling in the citys most eligible bachelor, Clara Carter must quickly learn to endure a corset, master the latest dances, and perfect her manners before making her social debut. Yet as the spotlight transforms her into a society-pagedarling, she wonders if this is the life she really wants. Then into Claras world strides a man whose selfless love touches her souland shes torn between the marriage her family demands and the one her heart desires. As Suzy Jacksons evocative narration whisks listeners away to a bygone era, they wont soon forget the vibrant detail and timeless truth in this compelling tale of romance, integrity, and hope.

Members Reviews:

And Still?

This was a fantastic, very moving story about the way society dictated and interpreted women's beauty in the late 1800's. The same sentiment dictated a woman's place as well. I am so glad that women are finding their own place these days. I love this author's style because she isn't afraid of exposing very real flaws in her characters, and her stories always seem to come to wonderful, thought-provoking conclusions. The story has a little mystery, a little humor, a little sorrow, a little shock, and was delightful to listen to.

SPOILER ALERT:

I have to say that the story took me back to the mid-1960's when I was in nursing school. It was not uncommon to have patients with the same problem described in the story. It was also common for magazines to advertise gimmicks for cinching ones figure by various means. People still do some pretty crazy (sometimes extreme) things to compete for good looks. Sometimes the outcome isn't so great. i.e. falling off ones shoes and breaking a bone. I somehow doubt that things will change for the better.

Bad is bad, Good is Good.

I liked in this novel that the bad actions of the father were not excused or condoned, which some Christian writers do. He made bad choices, therefore no one wanted to go to his funeral. Reality check! Also liked that the daughter didn't hate him, just his actions. And even though his actions affected her and others life, she didn't dwell on that, just trusted in God & figured out how to move on.

Courting in Corsets

This was an enjoyable book about the sacrifices and struggles made by young girls in order to fit in to proper society. They became a prisoner to the social class to which they belonged. The main character in the story fights for her independence while learning of her families dark secrets. There were many interesting twists and turns. I highly recommend She Walks in Beauty.

Great book, AMAZING performance!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Oh yes. This was my first audio book on audible, and I did NOT have high hopes. I've tried listening to audio books before (albeit only samples, but still) and with the exception of dramaticized ones, I always thought they were awful. This book proved me wrong.