No Angel

By: Penny Vincenzi

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 26 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Enter the world of the rich charismatic Lytton family and their powerful publishing empire in this passionate family saga, spanning the Edwardian era to World War I and the excesses of the glamorous 20s. Enter the world of Celia LyttonÑa woman who is used to getting her way. She moves through life making difficult and often dangerous decisions that affect herself and others, not only her husband, Oliver, and their children; but the destitute Sylvia Miller, whose life is transformed by Celia's intrusion; Oliver's daunting elder sister, who is not all she appears to be; and Sebastian Brooke, for whom Celia makes the most dangerous decision of all.

©2004 Penny Vincenzi (P)2009 Phoenix

such a great read!

When I began this novel, I was dismayed when I realized the time period in which it took place. After all, I had recently read Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants" and I was afraid of getting bored with the "Roaring Twenties". Well, nothing could have been less truthful! The characters are unique and although some of the circumstances may be the same, the perceptions are what make the story, right? Bravo Ms. Vincenzi! You made me laugh, cry, and gasp with anticipation at many different times! I eagerly await more from you. No pressure! :-D

Definitely a soap opera...

No Angel is to the publishing industry what Peyton Place was to small town life. It is a soap opera, complete with myriad characters, adulteries, and undeveloped story lines. It did hold my interest for hours and hours, however.

Interesting story

Any additional comments?

This book does a good job of exploring a wide variety of human emotions that are still relevant in today's society. No, the story doesn't move fast, but that's not the point of the book. Interesting story, intriguing setting, and some fascinating plot twists.

Entertaining but frustrating

I liked the storyline, but it was long and tedious and and the all the men’s voices seemed the same. And the voice of Richard was so horse sounding and irritating to listen to. Should have employed different voices for the men.

Frustratingly Entertaining

Thoroughly enjoyed the twists of circumstances and transformation of several characters. Fantastic Narrator ....

A fun to read soap opera that has some real meat

One of the most impressive aspects of this book is the main characters aren't really very likeable. Typically, if I don't like at least the main characters, I don't like the book. But the author does a very good job of taking unsympathetic people whose neck you would like to wring and make you care for them, regardless. Each of them means well just often enough that they cannot be totally without value.

That is important because this is a very long book and it drags in places. What keeps it moving are the characters.

The book does a very good job of portraying England during the 1st World War and the terrible affect it has on an entire generation of men and the sad but very liberating affecting it had on many women. She did a great job of driving home the point I often heard about post-World War II in the US. Women became used to holding responsible positions in the work place. They had authority. They kept businesses together during a very difficult time and in some cases actually created more profitable, more stable businesses, just for the men in their lives to come back and take over once the war was finished. She showed how destroying the combination of the ex-soldier's ghosts, the tragedy he witnessed and the woman's resentment at having everything taken away from her once she had a taste of freedom could be on a marriage, a family, an economy and a nation.

It also paints an interesting portrait at a critical time in British history - the blurring of the classes- the crossing over that occurred and how it affected the country going forward.

There are 2 more books in this series. Audible does not have them. If they did I would read them.

Wonderful Book!

This book is a beautiful family saga that will engage you for hours. Hard to "put down". Highly recommended

excellent book, but the sequel is missing

I really liked the book, but was very dissapointed to find out that second and third books of this saga are not in Audible :(

interesting but not enough

I enjoyed the book but, it fell short in the end, it wrapped up to easily. I was interested, but not consumed by this story.

Entertaining!

Although predictable, it is a very entertaining story. The narrator and well crafted characters enhanced the book.