Beatrix Potter

A Life in Nature

By: Linda Lear

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 18 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In this now classic biography, Linda Lear offers the astonishing portrait of an extraordinary woman who gave us some of the most beloved children's books of all time. Beatrix Potter found freedom from her conventional Victorian upbringing in the countryside. Nature inspired her imagination as an artist and scientific illustrator, but "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" brought her fame, financial success, and the promise of happiness when she fell in love with her editor, Norman Warne. After his tragic and untimely death, Potter embraced a new life as the owner of Hill Top Farm in the English Lake District and a second chance at happiness. As a visionary landowner and a successful farmer and sheep-breeder, she was able to preserve the landscape that had inspired her art.

Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature reveals a lively, independent, and passionate woman, whose art was timeless, and whose generosity left an indelible imprint on the countryside.

©2007 Linda Lear (P)2019 Tantor

Delightful to know more of a classic life

This lady was so much more than her little books! It was illuminating to hear how her life was shaped and how she chose to influence her world.

I love this book!

This is a must read for admirers of Beatrix Potter’s life and work. I read Linda Lear’s brilliantly researched book several years ago and and became fascinated with Beatrix Potter. I enjoyed the book immensely, and now I’m discovering it anew through this audio version. The story sheds so much light on a woman whose life well lived made an incredible difference in the lives of others, not only in her day, but well into the present.

Detailed biography of a fascinating life.

This biography skillfully uses primary sources, including extensive quotes from the subject’s correspondence, to paint a captivating portrait of a unique woman who seems have lived several lives in one lifetime. From her unhappy childhood to meticulous study and illustration of mycology, readers get insight into the experiences that led to her unexpected success as a children’s book author and illustrator. In her later years Potter married against the wishes of her overbearing parents and followed her heart to the British countryside. With her earnings from book sales, Potter purchased her own farm and went on to become a prominent land owner and one of the founding forces behind the land preservation efforts of the National Trust. Brilliantly written and read, this is the definitive biography for Potter lovers.

Educational

A well-researched book covering the details of the life of Beatrix Potter. It was an education on so many topics with a backdrop set during Victorian England through WW I and WWII. She was an astounding individual and what she accomplished in her lifetime continues to be a blessing to us today.

Plodding recitation of facts

Not sure why some readers rated this book so highly. I am literally listening to it at bedtime as an antidote to insomnia! The story is a looong, boring “just the facts, ma’am” snooze-fest. And the narrator’s highly clipped recitation makes it even less palatable. I LOVE Beatrix Potter, so I’m really disappointed that I just can’t whip up any enthusiasm for this dry biography.

Narration is difficult!

Since it was really difficult for me to get through Anne Flosnik’s narration of When Christ and His Saints Slept, I deliberated on whether I could stand listening to this reader presenting Beatrix Potter. No doubt that she is expert, but, there’s something about this narrator’s guttural, precise, fussy (prissy??) voice that I find hard to bear.

I do enjoy learning more about the family heritage, life, activism and talent of Beatrix Potter, so I’m hoping that 18 hours of this presentation will be tolerable. I respect the obvious talent and dedication of both this author and narrator, so, I’m rooting for myself getting over my distaste of the reading. We’ll see!
Update after finishing book: I never grew to like the narration, but, I did get better used to it as I forged ahead. I’m glad I bought Linda Lear’s Beatrix Potter, even though it took me over half of the book to be at peace enough with the narration. Glad I hung in there. This is a really in-depth, interesting piece on Miss Potter.

loved her books as a child

I read most of Ms Potter's books as a child. The drawings were excellent and creative. The narrator of this book throws off the biography with her stuffy English accent. Makes me think that Ms Potter was quite stuck up and snooty. Which doesn't jive at all with the books she wrote.