Igor

NOTHING NEW happens in this part of the series. I am not exaggerating: Jondalar and Ayla repeat their adventures from the previous books over and over again to every person they meet and sometimes even to each other! There is absolutely nothing going in this part that can possibly constitute a new book. There's no purpose to the book: it could never stand on its own to spark interest in those who had not read the previous installments, nor could it possibly hold any interest in those who are familiar with the story. The author should have been ashamed to cheat like this, and the editors never should have agreed to publish it.

And yes, the newly added accent is annoying.

Do NOT buy this version. It sounds as if the narrator is reading the book for the first time: full of awkward pauses and stumbling mistakes and misreadings. Not even a hint at characterization, very monotonous reading. There are also extraneous noises in the background: coughing, turning pages.

Complete waste of money.

I have listened to the 1st book in the series with great pleasure. It was charming and enchanting. However, as the heroine grows up, in this the 2nd part, the book loses a great portion of its magic. The first part has the power to captivate the hearts and imagination of children and adults alike. The sequel does not have the same universal appeal and belongs in the realm of teenage fiction, that some (including myself) may found predictable, boring, platitudinous. While I would enthusiastically recommend the first book to a reader of any age, I think only my 12-year-old niece might be interested in the second.

That said, it is still very good writing - sparkling style and precise language. The narrator is great.

Maybe something was wrong with my audio format, but the sound quality made it impossible for me to enjoy the book. This is the first time I am disappointed with audible. I strongly recommend listening to the sample before you make the purchase.

I have read and listened to all of Herriot’s books and loved them all. Some of his stories are funny, some sad, all are deeply humane and none are boring. The characters of Herriot’s stories – gruff farmers, eccentric and unpredictable Siegfried, charming Tristan, warmhearted Helen, and of course animals and nature – are all entertaining and full of life. Herriot’s writing is humorous and sympathetic. Timothy is an excellent reader. His reading is the best illustration to the books: different voices and accents make all the characters come alive. Timothy makes the listener see as well as hear. This production is one of the best audiobooks I have come across (on the par with Cecil’s reading of Wodehouse).