Wonderfullly written and narrated

I love Daphne du Maurier's books, and this one is as wonderfully written as the rest. It's all the more interesting because it's based on the life of the author's great-great-grandmother.

The book starts with a glimpse at the end of the story, which confused me a little, but when I came back to it after I'd finished the book, it was like meeting a friend. Mary Anne's life is told, from her childhood in poor circumstances, through a disastrous marriage, and on to adulthood as she endlessly tries to make a decent living for herself and her children. The odds, however, are against her. At that time, money and everything else was controlled by men - women must rely on men's generosity, or on a good marriage.

Carole Boyd is a truly fantastic audio book reader. Her characterisation of Mary Anne is particularly good, and she reads so clearly and paces the reading so well that it is truly a pleasure to listen. A true professional, we could do with more books read by her.

11 people found this helpful

Mary Anne

Would you try another book written by Daphne du Maurier or narrated by Carole Boyd?

Yes

What was most disappointing about Daphne du Maurier’s story?

It was hard going!! and a bit boring

Would you listen to another book narrated by Carole Boyd?

Yess

Do you think Mary Anne needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Certainly not - it was too long - almost gave up half-way through

Any additional comments?

Not what I expected from Daphne du Maurier. Have liked and enjoyed her other books

5 people found this helpful

For all followers of the Regency Period

A well-written story taking one right into the period so that the torment of being without funds, the sounds, smells etc. come alive and draw the listener along with Mary Anne's misadventures. The narrator deserves more than a mention for her fine depiction of all the characters.

5 people found this helpful

Superb

Beautifully written, superbly read...faultless in every way. Evokes the era and characters splendidly and Carole Boyd's reading could not be better.

4 people found this helpful

Good story but waffles too much in the end

I was hooked very early on to find out what happens to all the characters, but about 70% of the way through the story seems too drawn out and I lost interest. It actually became a chore to listen too and I did not finish the book - shame

4 people found this helpful

Mary Anne

Not, I think, to the author's usually good standard: she usually entertains me with her novels, but this one I'm afraid falls far from my expectations - in short, I have been rather bored by it and therefore would not recommend it to anyone else.

4 people found this helpful

Brilliantly performed but needs editing

I adore DDM, and I hate to say it of British writing royalty, but this is far, far, far too long. I tuned out for large portions, particularly the account of the court case, and had no trouble getting back into the story. Mary Anne was an incredible, resourceful woman who lived an incredible life, and I’d be proud to claim her as an ancestor too, so I can understand DDM wanting to share every detail. But it needs a good prune.

1 person found this helpful

Compelling!

I loved this book, it has such intelligent dialogue, beautiful words of a bygone age.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent.

loved it. such an intriguing story. highly recommend. could even be a story of today!

Beautifully written but not your usual Du Maurier

If you are ever in a reading slump and want an exemplary story to bring you out of it then read Daphne Du Maurier!

I didn't feel the message or the typical Du Maurier twist in the plot line was as strong or impactful as in other books by her, I had to reread certain sections to come to a conclusion

But the plot was delightful, in the fact that Mary Anne was an emboldened woman for her time, she saw the obstacles of poverty and womanhood and she subverted them.

But there was a natural limit to her power in the plot, which made her a flawed character and took into account the environment in which she lived

The characters were well depicted and flawed, the plot was interesting and fast paced for the time in which it is set.

The writing was exquisite, as is typical for a Du Maurier.

The story was immersive, it invested me and made me feel commited not only to the outcome but to the plot as it was in the moment.