Tidelands

The Fairmile Series, Book 1

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Louise Brealey

Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

This New York Times best seller from “one of the great storytellers of our time” (San Francisco Book Review) turns from the glamour of the royal courts to tell the story of an ordinary woman, Alinor, living in a dangerous time for a woman to be different.

A country at war.

A king beheaded.

A woman with a dangerous secret.

On Midsummer’s Eve, Alinor waits in the church graveyard, hoping to encounter the ghost of her missing husband and thus confirm his death. Until she can, she is neither maiden nor wife nor widow, living in a perilous limbo. Instead she meets James, a young man on the run. She shows him the secret ways across the treacherous marshy landscape of the Tidelands, not knowing she is leading a spy and an enemy into her life. England is in the grip of a bloody civil war that reaches into the most remote parts of the kingdom. Alinor’s suspicious neighbors are watching each other for any sign that someone might be disloyal to the new parliament, and Alinor’s ambition and determination mark her as a woman who doesn’t follow the rules. They have always whispered about the sinister power of Alinor’s beauty, but the secrets they don’t know about her and James are far more damning. This is the time of witch-mania, and if the villagers discover the truth, they could take matters into their own hands.

“This is Gregory par excellence” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Fans of Gregory’s works and of historicals in general will delight in this page-turning tale” (Library Journal, starred review) that is “superb.... A searing portrait of a woman that resonates across the ages” (People).

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

couldn't stop listening.

I really enjoyed this. Would like a second book. Narration was lovely. Felt like I was reading it myself. Very well produced. Thank you.

Wonderful book!

This is the best book ever and I honestly can’t wait to hear it again! Book 2 for this series can’t be here fast enough!

Liked this!

Liked the story and great narration. Can't wait to get started on the sequel

Immersive Experience of England 1600s

I greatly enjoyed the detail to everyday life for Elanor. Her struggle and her family's struggle was real and vivid through story telling. I enjoyed listening to the narration. It was calming to listen to the monotony of life in 1600s. I did feel like the story took a while to develop and bottle necked at the end of the book.

Depressing through and through.

I kept waiting for it to get better, but it didn't. So very depressing .

What a world!

Within the first 10 minutes I felt this was going to be a good story and it was. Characters were relatable, caring deeply for Eleanor and finding yourself being able to picture the scene perfectly. Enjoyed this book more than and I thought and already downloaded book 2.

Exquisite

Phillips Gregory NEVER disappoints! Yet another irresistible historical fiction masterpiece! Historically accurate, meticulously detailed, but far from boring!

Another great story

I love all Philippa Gregory’s books. This one does not disappoint! A story of hardship, love and shear determination. Great narration done too.

After a slow start, quickly amped up to riveting

In the mid 1600's in England, reputation was everything, while superstitions were equally prevalent and easily provoked. This amazing tale is wholly believable, set against a backdrop of civil war, political upheaval, and the contrasting stories and situations of the Haves and the Have-nots. I seldom venture into historical fiction, but one this story caught fire, it was un-put-down-able. Can't wait to listen to the sequel, DARK TIDES, narrated by the same vocal talent, Louise Brealey. Strongly recommended!

Love Philippa Gregory books

I really enjoyed this book, kept my interest and loved the characters! Looking forward to the next ones!