Worth a read for a different perspective

As a local I was interested to hear another perspective on the story of Matthew Hopkins and the women of Manningtree who were accused of witchcraft. That part of the book didn’t disappoint and it was interesting to hear another view point although fictional of these women. However, there were times when I nearly gave up on the book, firstly because of the narrators “Essex” accent, which sounded more like London or Cockney than Essex/Suffolk rural border, and at points grated on me. I’d rather it had just been read straight to be honest!
As mentioned by other readers, the author seems to have swallowed a thesaurus and added very complex words to describe things just for the sake of it. And some of the geography is a bit out - it’s a LONG way to Felixstowe from Manningtree, for example so it’s unlikely the characters would have seen the town across the estuary.
It’s worth a read but I think I would have preferred this one in paper form so that I didn’t have to listen to the accent which for me was the most grating part.

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6 people found this helpful

accents were off-putting

being from Essex I found the accents distracting and over the top. Essex residents in this era (particularly ones living in North Essex) would have a Norfolk type accent, far more country than the excessively cockney shrill that was occurring on this audiobook. That combined with the author's equally excessive verbosity made it sound like I was being read to by Russell Brand! The voice she chose to do for Matthew Hopkins was absurd as well. I limped through this book that felt far longer than it is and only because it was chosen for my book club.

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9 people found this helpful

Brilliant story and excellent narration

Loved it, perfect in every way. Brilliant story and excellent narration. so much talent on display. living in the area it created an even more atmospheric picture of the dread of the times.

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5 people found this helpful

Takes a while to get into, but worth the wait

I found the language too unfamiliar to enjoy initially. but once the story picked up I noticed it less, or became used to it. I thought the narrator was brilliant when speaking the female parts. However, I personally couldn't distinguish lots of the male characters as their voices were very similar, if not the same. Really enjoyed The Manning Tree witches having their voices heard, albeit fictional, it brought alive the voices of the past.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent book read really well

I really enjoyed this semi historical novel. The author is a very skilled writer and there are memorable scenes including the description of seventeenth century Colchester and the hanging of the guilty at the end. The reader does a great job of bringing the story alive using different voices for the main characters with great skill and this makes the book easy to follow.

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1 person found this helpful

An Historical, Human Story, Well Told.

I was nearly put off this book, by the comments of a couple of reviewers in the 'most helpful' section. They didn't like the accent that the book was read in.
I chose to ignore their opinions and I'm glad I did, I loved the accent that the narrator used. O.K. it's Estuary Essex, rather than Manningtree, 17th century English, but Call the Cops, who cares?
I thought That Sofia Zervudachi was portraying a class and position by her use of accent, rather than rigidly treating us to a History degree in colloquial accents in North Essex, in the 1600's. Nuff said (in an Essex accent)
That explanation over, this story is gripping, thrilling and at times unbearable. What makes it even more appalling is that, as we all know, it's based on fact.
The poor women that lived through this terrible time, under this wicked, social-climbing monster of a man, we can only feel sorry for and the hysteria of neighbour and friend pointing the finger, to save their own skin, we have witnessed time and again throughout history. It doesn't make you feel warm towards your fellow man, but it's a really good read and well worth your audible credit.

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4 people found this helpful

Brilliant writing brilliant reader

I thought the whole story was captivating and the author really wrote working class women brilliantly. The reader was also fantastic and perfect for this book!

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Baded on a sad part of history

The novel fictionalises the witch hunting of Matthew Hopkins,. Its narrated by a Manningtree woman.

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1 person found this helpful

Grim, interesting, beautifully written

Very beautifully written and (as one might expect, given the subject matter) unrelentingly grim.
Read by a really talented actor who gives a compelling rendition (although I wish there’d been a producer who could spot that there were a few words she must have been unfamiliar with).

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Best book I’ve ‘read’ in a long time!

I absolutely loved this book and I loved the narration. I read that others didn’t like the accent, but as someone also from Essex, I thought it was fine. Her way of reading was really expressive and clear - something I’ve struggled to find with other books. The story was beautifully written, so poetic & descriptive. Can’t wait for more novels from AK Blakemore!

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1 person found this helpful