Flowers from the Storm

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

He's a duke. He's a mathematical genius. He can't talk and he's locked in a lunatic asylum. Only a modest Quaker girl can reach him, but when she helps him to escape, she's swept into his glittering aristocratic world, her life torn apart by his desperate attempt to save himself.

Laura Kinsale personally chose the exceptional talent of Nicholas Boulton to narrate her classic romance Flowers from the Storm - cited by readers of The Washington Post and Glamour magazine as "one of the greatest love stories of all time" - creating a fresh and unique work that brings all the power and intensity of the original to audio.

©1992 Hedgehog Inc (P)2013 Hedgehog Inc

What a tale

It wasn't as sexual steamy as some of her other books and there were a few times at the beginning where I thought How are you going to get romance out of this but it did it came together in a romantic heartwarming way

Excellent Love Story

Excellent writing. Even the more intimates moments were acceptable because they fit the plot and were so well written.

I can't believe I cried more than once...

And it wasn't even the end.!!! I just can't express how good this book is with this narrator. I read it a few years ago and yes, it is one of the best love stories period!! But Nicolas Boulton became Christian Chevoux. This is a "can't miss" audio book.

Beautiful story, excellent narrator

The title says it all. This was a lovely romance and Nicholas Boulton was the perfect narrator. So well done.

The Ending Makes It Worth It

What an unusual story. Boy meets girl, boy goes to insane asylum...

This was my first book by Laura Kinsale and I'll probably listen to another. I enjoyed her writing and her characters seem relatable and human, if also painfully frustrating at times. First of all, I think the narrator did a standout job and conveyed the frantic desperation and self-frustration of the character’s difficulty with speech and physical limitations perfectly! Of the story itself, there were some irritating portions, and when there were about four hours left of the book, I was ready for it to be over. However, the ending was worth it for me.

I was really intrigued by Maddy’s Quaker heritage and the role her religion would play in her life and this story. One of my social work professors was a Quaker, and so I have some appreciation of silence and stillness, and was interested to learn more of that perspective. Maddy’s trial largely seemed to be the making of her own spiritual meaning from her challenges and life experiences and trying to make these fit in with the expectations and practices of her religion. Just as Christian was confined by his disability, Maddy was confined by what seemed to her to be an inner religious conflict. Let's just say that the reconciliation was a long time coming. Maddy’s and Christian’s values and lifestyles are so at odds that I was dubious if they were actually a good match, even though they loved one another. As the story progressed, Maddy seemed to lose herself, mired in doubt and shame, and this wouldn’t let her wholeheartedly embrace her own feelings for him and the experience of love, which was frustrating to listen through. Christian too is conflicted, but being privy to his inner thoughts, his earnestness won me over even when his erratic emotions/behaviors had me wondering. They are well-written characters with flaws, human desires and misgivings that are naturally woven throughout this tale of love and strife. There are some remarkable moments of tenderness that were beautiful, and some very entertaining scenes as well. Overall the book had a serious tone, but I did laugh a few times at Christian’s antics. Everything tied together happily in the passionate conclusion.

I was addicted to the book for the first half. As things seemed more and more stacked against the characters, it became more difficult for me to get through, but I was invested in them and needed to know the ending. I'm glad I listened to the entirety of this book and can recommend it to the listener in search of a unique and ultimately rewarding romance.

Bravo!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to all. It has everything. Suspense, mysteries, romance, family dramas, rise and falls, sadness, happiness, failures, success, prejudice, pride, religion, and most of all realistic moral lessons, that humble us all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Duke. listen to what he offers his wife, if she comes back to him.

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator is first rate, He easily handles all parts, men or women, rich or poor, Quakers, or arrogant snobs, or ...fools, Trouble makers, flirts, Selfish SOB's. He is a marvel!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I finished 18 hours in record time. I couldn't predict, or guess how the present situation would work it self out; guessing was a waste of time. This autor is worth every minute.

Any additional comments?

Read it.

unique and enthralling

it is so refreshing to read something with a different plot than every other book on the market. The story is well- written and keeps the reader wondering.

Wonderful performance and a great listen!

What made the experience of listening to Flowers from the Storm the most enjoyable?

The narration was superb...each character had a distinct voice, and I felt like I knew who was talking by the narration alone, and also by the way they talked in the novel itself.

What about Nicholas Boulton’s performance did you like?

Each character was unique and each scene and sentence expressive and full of emotion as necessary. Never any droning, a perfect reading in my opinion.

Any additional comments?

The story itself was very good, though in some points a little a confusing and unbelievable (for me), but that made it such a good romance! I didn't really feel the connection all that much between the two main characters, but I was rooting for their love in the end, so I guess all was as it should be! Worth the credit, and worth the listen.

Historical Romance

This story had a lot of elements that I have never found in another story. I would have liked to have the wife play more of an active role in the recovery of the Duke. It was suspenseful to have a look inside a reputable mad house of the time and it makes you appreciate the time we live in. I am not a fan of romance but it was a good storyline none the less.

One of the best

This novel drew me in from the start and held me right to the end. The characters were complex and intriguing and the story layered and unpredictable. I can understand why it has received such high praise. Well worth reading.