Dreadful narrator

The narrator, Jilly Bond, is dreadful. Doesn't anyone at the publisher or Audible review these recordings?

12 people found this helpful

So Disappointed!

This is one of my favorite Mary Stewart books and I couldn’t wait for an unabridged audio version to be released. The narrator really bothered me! I found I got somewhat used to her voice for Gaelis by telling myself “this is an old lady retelling her love story,” but I cringed every time William or Christopher John spoke.

7 people found this helpful

A bewitching tale from the masterful pen of Mary Stewart

Thornyhold has long been one of my favorite books since I discovered it as a teenager in our tiny country library. Brimming with Lady Stewart’s light magic, lush imagery, and signature wit, and with just a hint of mystery, Thornyhold tells the story of a lonely young woman and the magical and idyllic house and gardens left to her by her good-witch-godmother, a Mary Poppins sort, and the healing the house brings to everyone who loves it—humans and animals alike. A short, delicious story with a witchy-wise-woman atmosphere that I savor every autumn.
So grateful audible released this new version as the previous one was severely abridged and had poor audio quality.
The narrator did a lovely job overall; I enjoyed her regular voice as she read the novel which is in first person, but I didn’t particularly love the voice she used for the heroine. Since the novel was in first person, I wish she had just stuck with the main voice she used. But it didn’t bother me enough to return it, and I’ll certainly listen to it many more times.

4 people found this helpful

Narrator is awful

Looked forward to this book, but the narrator is awful, and truth be told, the story isn't as good as I remember. In 25 years I think my taste has changed a great deal. I have requested they add Victoria Holt THE INDIA FAN, and if they do, I hope the narrator does it justice

8 people found this helpful

Thornyhold

One of my favorite Mary Stewart novels. I thought the reader was very good. I almost didn't buy this because of the negative reviews about the reader. I am so glad I did. A lovely story!

3 people found this helpful

My favorite Mary Stewart so far

It’s a bit slow on the romance at the start, but I didn’t mind that. I loved Gilly and her aunt and all the little features of her life. She’s such a kindhearted and intelligent heroine and Jilly Bond brings her to life so well. This is a wonderfully cozy read. Recommended for winter nights or summer afternoons... or anytime you want a comforting friend.

2 people found this helpful

Entertaining

This story is told by a grandmother looking back on her earlier years. She was an unhappy child who grew into a confident, wise woman in later life with the help of an eccentric aunt.

All the Stewart familiars are there, lonely children, animals in need, and historic context with supernatural implications. I liked the book which dealt more with the characters’ psychological and personal motivations and insights rather than overly sensual romance. It is a kind of coming of age and personal growth story which made it a little deeper than her usual story.

I thought the narrator’s voice was appropriate for the story which is told about events that happened many years prior. She had a nice tone which was easy to listen to for me. I did not like her voice of the male love interest, but he does not say much so it was not much of a distraction. The rest of her voices seemed fine to me. I combined reading and listening to the book and heard some parts twice. It is a book I may pick up again in the future either to listen or to read.

1 person found this helpful

NOT Mary Stewart's best

I stuck it out to the end, because I hate to leave any story unfinished. However, this book was a big disappointment. It was slow, and much of it dreary. I didn't care for the narration. The characters were pretty interesting. If I had known what I know now, I would have bought the abridged version narrated by Jenny Agutter.

1 person found this helpful

Gentle love story set after WWII

Story: 5 stars

This isn’t the intense Mart Stewart of her books set in the 1960’s and 70’s, but it takes you deep into the character of Geilis Ramsey and her love story.

It’s a romance, but also tells a lot about life in the 30’s and 40’s in England. The war is skipped over, but referred to occasionally. Rationing is still in effect during the main storyline of the book.

It’s gentle and sweet and has elements of mystery with a touch of magic.

Narrator: 5 stars

Wow. The range of Jilly Bond’s voice is phenomenal. I listened a second time simply because her voice was calming and wonderful and created an atmosphere that was wonderful!

*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special

Dreadful narrator

Really spoilt the characters with the accents adopted for each character. Not Mary Stewart’s best work either.