A Respectable Trade

Historical Novels

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Other Boleyn Girl - a book about the devastating consequences of the slave trade in 19th century England.

Bristol in 1787 is booming, a city where power beckons those who dare to take risks. Josiah Cole, a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs capital and a well-connected wife.

Marriage to Frances Scott is a mutually convenient solution. Trading her social contacts for Josiah's protection, Frances finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum, and slaves.

Into her new world comes Mehuru, once a priest in the ancient African kingdom of Yoruba, now a slave in England. From opposite ends of the earth, despite the difference in status, Mehuru and Frances confront each other and their need for love and liberty.

©2019 Philippa Gregory (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Wonderful!

The only thing I would have liked to go along with all of the excitement and interesting characters is some questions answered. What happens with such and such or how did something end up. I wanted more. I always do with her writing.

Superb narration!

First off: I very much enjoyed the narration by Adjoa Andoh! She is truly talented and was able to give life to each and every character, with their own unique traits. It was all smoothly done - no rigid or abrasive transition from dialogue to description, back to dialogue.
I am a fan of Philippa Gregory and have read all of her Plantagenet and Tudor books, now exploring more of her historic writings. A Respectable Trade was wonderfully written and as usual, Ms. Gregory transported me to a real time and place, via fully formed and genuine characters working through challenges of the moment.
Only thing i found slightly disappointing with this audible, was that there was no epilogue. Usually, there is an afterword with Ms. Gregory’s comments on her historic research. I was looking forward to it.

Really enjoyed this one!

Philippa Gregory has always been one of my preferred authors and this title didn’t disappoint. She provided a different perspective of the slave trade and that was done very well; it really broke my heart. I wasn’t crazy about the main female character, but she is probably a pretty good example of the kind of woman the gentry produced in those days.

Overall, the story was compelling and the narrator is one of the best I’ve ever heard - she was part of the reason I enjoyed the book so much.

Philippa Gregory never disappoints... BUT

Though I love Philippa Gregory, the true star was the narrator of this book. If I could give the narrator 10 stars I would. She brought the characters to life and her accents were amazing!

An exquisite, sad, incredible book!!!

NO SPOILERS! We have all heard true accounts of the awful, cruel, unbearable stories of how our African brothers, sisters, wives, husbands were treated. Maybe some of us have witnessed the cruelty and injustice of racism. What Phillipa Gregory has been able to do, is wake up all of our senses to comprehend the feelings, thoughts, actions and experiences of the slaves. She puts us in the villages of Africa, the terror of capture, the pain, sorrow, mistreatment of the long ocean voyages. You definitely get a lesson on the true thoughts and feelings of each individual slave. The narrator, Adjoa Andoh is so extremely talented!!! She is able to go from a Sierra Leone accent to a Scottish scullery maid accent in an instant. There are several main characters in this book, and she tackled every one spot on!! I really don't know if this audiobook would have worked without Adjoa Andoh! I feel this book is a must read, must listen. Not just for historians....but to get the history of a very, very long, destructing, wretched period.. A period that went on for more than half of a millennium.

Beautifully written and read!

This book takes history and weaves it in a very personal story that takes the listener on a journey that shows the beautiful profound struggle that is life. The narrator gave many different voices to each character adding depth to an already deeply woven story of a tragic time in history. Embodying the will of the human spirit, the power of love,and how people can find hidden blessings in their sorrows and triumph. These over arching human truths along with Philippa Gregory vast knowledge of history create a thought provoking and vivid world. I can’t wait to listen to more of her books!

Fantastic Narration!

The story line was great. The romance could have used a bit more fleshing out, but what made it a phenomenal read was the narrator! It almost defies belief that this woman can do so many different characters and accents that sound like a complete cast of people. I would listen to any book narrated by Adjoa Andoh.

narrator turned an average book into a masterpiece

I am a big fan of the Tudor books, I also like Tidelands and wanted to read something a little different. The story was average, nothing that hasn't been written about before. Yet, the narrator was simply amazing. She brought the characters to life with such passion and zeal. To be frank, I probably wouldn't have finished the book if not for her. Nothing against the author. Like I said, I love all of her work. I've just read tons of books about slavery and the slave trade, this story wasn't anything new.

Good book, excellent narration.

The narrator was superb. One of the best I have listened to. Her performance was remarkable!

An epic book a great historical significance to all

This book though fiction uses such great detail of the Historical times In which it was written. Great read for one and all.