Amanda

I was put off by previous reviews where they stated that the narrator mispronounced a lot of the words. As I am not an America, I didn't know what the real pronunciation should be of various place names so it did not bother me. I found the narrator lively and easy to listen to.

I loved the story immensely, particularly how the animals were included as characters bit not overly anthropomorphised.

So what does a person who never need work another day in her life write just for the sheer joy of writing ?

This book is gritty. It is about death, drug addiction, poverty and the fears of the middle class.

I loved it, so well written and gripping.

Enjoyed this thoroughly. I'm a horsey person, and was pleased that the equestrian references had been well researched and written. And it's a great story. Although I did have the urge to slap the characters every now and then as they all kept so many secrets, but if there had been open and honest dialogue there would not have been any story to speak of.

Well read.

I like Victorian Era literature, and though this would fit the bill, but gave up on it.

Bought these as I was off on a vacation and wanted a long book. It's good, but I found it soporific, I was failing to remember parts of it and having to play it over and over again.

How many times does she say 'I don't know ?' It must be hundreds..

After years of refusing to read Jilly Cooper after having friends reccomend it to me, I was suprised at how much I enjoyed this. Well narrated, and what a bunch of characters. But I particularly liked how the animals were bought to life in this novel.

Reading this book one month into abstinence was a great experience. Augusten put into words so many emotions I was feeling but could not describe. And very funny too.

I have really enjoyed listening to the 44 Scotland St Series, and enjoyed this one too. I did find it overly abridged though, there were obvious gaps in the story where things had been cut out.