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Fortune's Wheel

The Meonbridge Chronicles, Book 1

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Fortune's Wheel

By: Carolyn Hughes
Narrated by: Alex Lee
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About this listen

How do you recover from the havoc wrought by history's cruellest plague?

It's June 1349. In Meonbridge, a Hampshire manor, many have lost their lives to the Black Death, among them Alice atte Wode’s beloved husband and Eleanor Titherige’s widowed father. Even the family of the manor’s lord and his wife, Margaret de Bohun, has not entirely escaped.

But, now the plague has passed, the people of Meonbridge must work together to rebuild their lives. However, tensions mount between the de Bohuns and their tenants, as the workers realise their new scarceness means they can demand higher wages and dictate their own lives.

When the tensions deepen into violence and disorder, and the men – lord and villagers alike – seem unable to find any resolution, the women – Alice, Eleanor and Margaret – must step forward to find a way out of the conflict that is tearing Meonbridge apart.

If you enjoy well-researched, immersive historical fiction, set in a turbulent and challenging time, with strong but credible female characters, you’ll love Fortune’s Wheel, the first of the MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLES.

©2018 Carolyn Hughes (P)2024 Carolyn Hughes Historical Historical Fiction Marriage

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Critic reviews

“A thoroughly researched book, with care given to ensuring that the characters have 14th century attitudes and knowledge…gives a strong sense of the reality of the past.” Catherine Meyrick, author of Forsaking All Other
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Listener received this title free

As a quick and voracious reader who likes to become immersed in plot-line and character revelations as soon as possible, I always shied away from audiobooks, believing I would have to wait too long for it to be the case. That was until I was fortunate enough to be offered a code from 'Fortune's Wheel' author Carolyn Hughes to listen to the newly released audiobook version of her 2019 novel free of charge and, if I wished, submit a review.
My scepticism was overcome within the first chapter of this engrossing text, perhaps unsurprising as I have already enjoyed subsequent offerings in the Meonbridge series. The length of 'Fortune's Wheel,' at almost twelve hours, was an initial stumbling block. I wondered how I would find time to listen. Yet, once begun, I searched for opportunities to sneak extra minutes.
The novel begins in June 1349, following the passing of the Black Death, in which a number of people from the area of Meonbridge died. We trace three women of different social status as they struggle to rebuild their lives after the loss of family members and work through multiple challenges and tensions. The novel is a vivid historical commentary concerning the issues surrounding the Black Death, showcasing how remaining tenants on the de Bohun land were in a strong position to dictate pay and conditions. Protagonists Margaret, Alice and Eleanor realise they must unite in order to resolve these conflicts and bring peace to the village once more.
Narrator Alex Lee has a pleasant reading voice, making for easy, relaxed listening. She gives a credible performance when local accents or male dialogue is required, bringing secondary characters into focus. This helps encourage empathy for the people and their concerns, as if they existed in real life.
A captivating audiobook, 'Fortune's Wheel' is rich with fourteenth century detail and atmosphere. Not to be missed.

An Audiobook Convert

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Fortunes Wheel follows the twists and turns of a medieval manner at the time of the plague. It draws you into the world of early medieval England through its realistic portrayal of thei lives and struggles of both high and low born. It’s perhaps a little lengthy but the easy pace and delicious details of life in the period adds to the charm.

Wonderful characters

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I loved it hearing about an era we seldom hear about.. Following the pestilence and people getting their lives together whilst mourning their lost love ones. 10 out of 10 heartily recommend

oh my goodness

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How after the plague life couldn’t return as before with shortages of population to cultivate the land and the lords of the manor’s unwillingness to accept change

Life after the plague

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If you are intrigued by England in the Middle Ages then be prepared to enjoy this book. It was like living a year in the illuminations of the Luttrell Psalter. The historical accuracy will satisfy every Medievalist whether professional or amateur. The story, while not really a murder mystery or a tale of noble intrigue, has elements of both. It gives an honest look at the daily lives of the people living on a medieval manor and the hardships and trials that had to survive just to eke out a living. The setting of the end of the Black Death in 1349 is a good one as societal upheaval was starting and the rumbles of what, 40 years later, would be the Peasants’ Revolt were beginning. The tide was turning against the aristocracy, but the serfs still had a long way to go.
Hughes treats her characters with affection and reality, showing that their day-to-day lives are not that far removed from our own. She does not bog the reader down in unnecessary description of the players which allows us to imagine the characters for ourselves.
Alex Lee does a good job with the voice characterisations and her style really grew on me by mid-way through the story.
I enjoyed this audiobook 100%. I am a history buff, especially of the Middle Ages and appreciated Hughes’ honest look at the lives of the characters.

Outstanding! History and storytelling supreme

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