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The Bedlam Stacks
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
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The Bedlam Stacks
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Summary
An astonishing historical novel set in the shadowy, magical forests of South America, which draws on the captivating world of the international best seller The Watchmaker of Filigree Street.
Deep in uncharted Peru, the holy town of Bedlam stands at the edge of a forest. The shrine statues move, and anyone who crosses the border dies. But somewhere inside are cinchona trees, whose bark yields quinine: the only known treatment for malaria.
On the other side of the Pacific, it is 1859, and India is ravaged by the disease. The hunt for a reliable source of quinine is critical, and in its desperation the India Office searches out its last qualified expeditionary. Struggling with a terrible injury from his last mission and the strange occurrences at his family's ruined estate, Merrick Tremayne finds himself under orders to bring back cinchona cuttings at any cost and dispatched, against his own better judgment, to Bedlam.
There he meets Raphael, a priest around whom the villagers spin unsettlingly familiar stories of impossible disappearances and living stone. Gradually Tremayne realises that Raphael is the key to a legacy left by two generations of Tremayne explorers before him, one which will prove more dangerous and valuable than the India Office could ever have imagined.
Critic reviews
What listeners say about The Bedlam Stacks
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mollyeyre
- 04-08-17
Absolutely blown away by this
I thoroughly enjoyed the Watchmaker, and was really pleased to be able to read the second of Natasha Pulley's books. I love Natasha Pulley's way of writing - her characters are so likeable they almost become part of the family, apart from the rotten ones ...... of course.
The story was quite complicated but so very well put together it has kept my attention thoroughly. David Thorpe narrated very well - I know some commentators have not liked him much - but I thought he was first class and absolutely right for the story.
A wonderful trip to Peru with such interesting people, stories and consequences. BRILLIANT
I was also delighted to meet 'Katar', (Sorry - I have no idea how it is spelled, the Watchmaker), in his earlier life.
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19 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- claire
- 28-07-17
Wonderful story and took me back to my travels in Peru
Great story, unusual and original . I have travelled throughout south america and spent time in Peru. The description of the landscape and architecture/historic ruins are very accurate and written by someone who had travelled there, I am sure.
The story itself is a beautifully balanced cocktail of history , local spirituality and beliefs , reminders of old fashioned prejudice and our historic influence on the world , as well as being a story about human compassion , friendship and at times a look at how we could act in desperation . A story of history, friendship, judgment, magic and spiritual beliefs..... listen and you will be enthralled and sad when it ends !!!
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12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JS
- 07-03-19
Enjoyable and entertaining
Really enjoyed the story and didn't feel I wanted it to end. We get a small glimpse into Keita Mori's story as it gets interwoven in this. There are similarities between him and Raphael to do with friendship, longevity of life, time and the feeling that they have lived a life we are barely scratching the surface of.
Definitely will be looking out for future books by this author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 24-08-19
Exelent
Do have patience with this audio book as its truly worth it!!! Really good read
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr
- 31-08-19
Extraordinary
I have never understood people who had a favourite book - until now. Everything about this book eludes to a singularly unique talent and imagination. Natashe Pulley has woven a true abiding adventure fairytale that I immediately want all my friends to read, and will read again. Narration was also perfect.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Margaret J.
- 23-01-18
An audible daily deal
I got this book from a daily deal. The reviews seemed positive so I have it a go. I loved it and was totally absorbed by the story.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Karen
- 27-01-18
A beautifully imagined story
A lovely story of friendship set in a fantastical world. I think I’d have preferred to read this than listen as I found it hard to always conjure up the images whilst the story continued, and was slightly distracted by the narrator’s voice. He sounded a little too modern and I think I’d have imagined the period better. But great fun overall.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 13-02-20
great story, disliked the narrator
I loved the story, but disliked how it was read. It made descriptions seem confusing.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jeffrey Slater
- 26-12-20
Worth a read, but
there were parts which I found difficult due to falling asleep every time I listened to them - one section look 6 attempts. No real surprises, occasionally a little silly, thus not as good as the other 2. But ok
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gill Osborne
- 17-10-21
Unusual
On the surface, this is a thoroughly enjoyable, if a little fantastical historical novel.
On a deeper level, it has nods to English imperialism, religion and deep friendships.
David Thorpe, as usual, is a superlative narrator and I probably would never have chosen to listen to this book with a less capable performer.
The last hour needs the suspension of common sense but is, nonetheless a necessary part of the story.
Well worth the hours needed to complete it.
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