Fallen Skies

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Can a family's mannered traditions and cool emotions erase the horrors of war from a young couple's past?

From New York Times best-selling author Philippa Gregory, Fallen Skies takes listeners to post-World War I England in a suspenseful story about the marriage of a wealthy war hero and an aspiring singer he barely knows.

Lily Valance is determined to forget the horrors of the war by throwing herself into the decadent pleasures of the 1920s and pursuing her career as a music hall singer. When she meets Captain Stephen Winters, a decorated veteran, she's immediately drawn to his wealth and status. And Stephen, burdened by his guilt over surviving the Flanders battlefields where so many soldiers perished, sees the possibility of forgetting his anguish in Lily, but his family does not approve.

Lily marries Stephen, only to discover that his family's façade of respectability conceals a terrifying combination of repression, jealousy and violence. When Stephen's terrors merge dangerously close with reality, the truth of what took place in the mud and darkness brings him and all who love him to a terrible reckoning.

©2015 Philippa Gregory (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Maybe her best..

OK, this book starts out a bit slow, and I found both main characters so distasteful that I almost did not continue. Then it took off! The reader is amazing, a great voice actress, who brings the story to life with her voices, inflection, and amazing timing. The character development, psychological insights into PTSD, as well as normal emotions, is amazing. Whereas we are used to Philippa Gregory bringing us way back in time, this is more modern, modern themes, and somehow a stronger story for it. At times, it is not an easy listen, as there are strong themes of rape and other violence. Post Victorian mores clashing with modernity, rich meets underclasses, war meets genteel society, this book deftly examines it all. There are secrets that slowly come to light, and an intense climax and ending that had me on the edge of my seat. The last minute of the book brings yet more. I give it1 0 stars, not just 5.

Kept me interested.

Interesting story and characters. It definitely kept me hooked.

My only complaint really is that it needed an epilogue. How could I spend that many hours with Lilly and not know her future. Ahhhh

Love Philippa Gregory’s books

Didn’t want it to end. It wasn’t the best of Gregory but I throughly enjoyed the ride. She has such great character development and you really care about her characters. The narrator was good but not great.

Incredible

What a beautiful story about the ugliness and cost of war. This author never fails to amaze me.

Great but depressing

I love the writing, the narration is flawless and the story is very compelling. The characters were interesting and well rounded. My only complaint is that after a long story of pain and suffering, the reader is left high and dry - only imagining any sort of semi-satisfying ending. I know we’re not guaranteed this, but gee wiz, after all the awfulness I felt there ought to be some redemption for Lily at the end.

Warning for PTSD and Veterans.

Awesome story by Philippa Gregory. Though trigger warning mentions rape, spousal abuse, and early psychiatric treatments.

surprisingly satisfying story!

Surprisingly satisfying story and characterizations and excellent narration. Interesting time period of World War One.

Slow start but very gripping end!

This was an entertaining book, although it took a few chapters for me to feel engaged. Once I was hooked, it was very enjoyable.

Excellent performance by the reader. The best I’ve heard.

Sometimes the British accent makes it hard to follow and understand but the reader spoke clearly. The story was captivating and well written.

The Best Ever

Philippa Gregory Never Disappoints, this has been one of my BEST Reads Ever. My first Gregory book was Wiseacre and I will never forget Beatrice and now I will not forget Lily.