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  • The Lie Tree

  • Costa Book of the Year 2015
  • By: Frances Hardinge
  • Narrated by: Emilia Fox
  • Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,047 ratings)
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The Lie Tree cover art

The Lie Tree

By: Frances Hardinge
Narrated by: Emilia Fox
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Summary

Perfectly complemented by Emilia Fox's elegant narrative style, this story twists and turns its way through Victorian England and the stifling societal conventions of the time, all the way to its thrilling climax.

Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2015

The Lie Tree is a wonderfully evocative and atmospheric story by Frances Hardinge, award-winning author of Cuckoo Song and Fly by Night.

Faith's father has been found dead under mysterious circumstances, and as she is searching through his belongings for clues she discovers a strange tree. The tree grows healthy and bears fruit only if you whisper a lie to it. The fruit of the tree, when eaten, will deliver a hidden truth to the person who consumes it. The bigger the lie, the more people who believe it, the bigger the truth that is uncovered.

The girl realizes that she is good at lying and that the tree might hold the key to her father's murder, so she begins to spread untruths far and wide across her small island community. But as her tales spiral out of control, she discovers that where lies seduce, truths shatter....

©2016 Frances Hardinge (P)2016 Macmillan Digital Audio

What listeners say about The Lie Tree

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

No idea why reviewers don’t like the narration

Yes Harold has a cutesy voice but what’s the problem with that? His age appropriate. The duration was fine, I certainly wouldn’t want it to put anyone off listening to this book. The story was great, the duration was good – nothing to dislike here

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good Book bit slow paced.

nice booked Well written and read.
a different take on a period book with some interesting revelations.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic

A beautiful reading, an accurate portrayal as i could imagine of every character, the story itself was absolutely delightful and engaging.

A very good read and listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great novel for young adults (and old adults!)

Great tale, thought provoking, is has the feel of a classic gothic novel with a bit of Agatha Christie thrown in for good measure. Excellent narration does the book justice. Loved it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected

What made the experience of listening to The Lie Tree the most enjoyable?

Not at all what I expected but thoroughly enjoyed it

Its true the Lie Tree doesn't get a mention for quite some time but that is correct for this tale

Its true that none of the characters are likable, but why do you need to someone to like? It's none the worse for it; better even
.



What other book might you compare The Lie Tree to, and why?

Not comparable to anything

Have you listened to any of Emilia Fox’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I knocked one star of her performance just for the ickle wickle soppy voice she used for Howard. This jarred and would take me out the moment. The only black spot in this Audible book

Any additional comments?

Read it or listen to it. But come to it with an open mind and no expectations and you will find an unusual tale well told

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Dull & exciting

In the beginning the book was so dull (in my opinion) that I put it aside & listen to a different book when I finished that one I decided to get back to this one & I must say that after chapter 6/7 the book got more interesting & exciting to the point that I could hardly put it down.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Rollicking Gripping Tale

Beautifully read, this massive story vividly depicts every character and environment. I was enthralled from the start. A thoroughly enjoyable book!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful listen

I really enjoyed this production Amelia Fox has done a wonderful job on the reading and the story is very well done.
Happy to try out another from Frances Hardinge. Would definitely recommend

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book

This is a great story, I was hooked from start to finish. the narration by Emilla Fox was excellent too and really brought the characters to life. I

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Very slow

You didn't actually find out what the father had been accused of until 5 hours into the book, if you can persevere past that then it's an ok listen.

A family have moved to a new town under whispered rumours. What was it the father did wrong? Can the family survive it?

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7 people found this helpful