Wonderful book. An absolute classic.

Part fantasy, part crime thriller, part reflection on manners and prejudice. Wonderfully worthwhile to listen.

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Marvellous

A great story with its roots in European folk lore and Eleanor Bron is superb.

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Interesting

This is a strange but interesting story, but more so in an academic sense. It drags here and there, and the didactic conclusions are on the nose, but if you enjoy fairy folklore, you might enjoy this.

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1 person found this helpful

A masterpiece

First read this back in the seventies as a student, knowing nothing about the author - if anything, I thought it was probably contemporary, possibly American. Only recently have I discovered that it’s pre-Tolkien, pre-Lewis, pre the whole ‘fantasy’ thing, and very British
The book has haunted me ever since. I never met anyone else who’d even heard of it, and it was really difficult to get hold of once my old copy had fallen apart. So when I saw that it has reappeared out of the past - like Mayor Chanticleer from the debatable lands - both as a book and on audible - it is a bit like an old dream coming to life. So please forgive this bit of self-indulgent autobiography- the book has been very important to me all my adult life.

It’s a strange, wonderful, poetic work - the language is quite beautiful, the characterisations real and engaging, the plot as gripping as a thriller at times (though I’ve always wanted to know more about what actually happened to Nat at the end). You can read many, better and more thorough reviews of the story itself - including by Neil Gaiman,
But I must comment on Eleanor Bron’s reading, which is outstanding. There’s not a false note, not a nuance missed. Her voice is beautiful, but also versatile, managing at different points to be moving, humorous or sly as the plot demands. It is one of the best readings I’ve heard on audible - and I have over 400 books.

Thanks Audible, for acknowledging this stunning book as the masterpiece it is.

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13 people found this helpful

Needs a couple of listens

I liked this book, in the end - it took till the last hours to get there! I will need to listen again to fully immerse myself.

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2 people found this helpful

lives up to the hype!

I really loved this fairy tale. If you liked Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell or little/big or the wayward children books I think you'll like it too. I thought that Gaiman was giving too much praise but having finished it I have to agree.
The audiobook narration is fantastic too.

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2 people found this helpful

Extraordinary and engaging

Fantastical, human, challenging, suspenseful, well plotted and beautifully written. Needs more than one reading to capture the fill meaning.

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A gift from mother to child

I am ashamed that I have not read this book until now. My mother had a copy since her university days and only now have I been brave enough to give it a go. But in an odd way now was the right time. I am old enough to understand it and still feel its warmth and magic. It was also such a treat to hear it read by the familiar and comforting voice of Eleanor Bron. I first heard her reading ‘the little princess’ and so this audio book is like the perfect storm of the feelings that I had as a child.

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8 people found this helpful

Bewitching

Beautiful narration - the authors gentle voice soothes you into an extraordinary story (it reminds me of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust) - prosperous merchants and their families all having their lives turned upside down by forces secretly (or not so secretly) associated with the neighbouring land of Fairie. One brave local dignitary solves the riddle.

I loved this book and could not wait to plug in my headphones every day to find out what would happen. It is a work of genius, which such a huge span of ideas and plot, while remaining incredibly enjoyable.

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really unusual

I liked this book, it was really unusual. the narrator was fantastic and her performance really helped the story

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1 person found this helpful