The House at Tyneford

I didn’t realize I even liked this book until I got to the end and found myself sobbing in the car on the way to work. Clearly it affected me. So that’s the good news. If you listen to this I think you will care for the characters, possibly even despite yourself. But I picked this up because it had been billed to me as “an ode to the old English country house” and “for Downton Abbey addicts.” But I’m not sure it was either of these things. Despite the title, the house didn’t feel like the central character. (Perhaps the visual evocation would have been stronger had I been reading?) But I felt it was the onslaught of history - awful, looming, threatening, and oversees – that served as the main influence in this book. It was the background horror of the Holocaust that brought me to tears.

This novel is about a young Jewish woman from “the smart set” in Vienna who takes a position as a parlour maid in an English House in 1938. While she is sheltered from the actualities of life back in Vienna - the silence created by the slowing postal system, the delayed appearance of her parents, the ineffectiveness of money sent to literally pay their ransom out of Austria, these things make up the negative space that consumes this novel. But the central love stories that take up the day to day at Tyneford, the fussy butler and particular housekeeper, even the awful society visitors – they don’t stand a chance against the things that you aren’t seeing and hearing. I guess that’s why it felt like a vacuum to me - and not an entirely satisfying one.

Not sure how I feel about this book I know I didn't love it but it did keep my attention which can be a difficult task. I just felt the story was kind of boring not much to it and a bit predictable. However I did like the characters so I wanted to listen and find out what happens. It also took a while to get use to the narrator but once I sped up the speed of the book to 1.5 it was good.

Great characters, interesting historical perspective. It takes place at the time of WWII, but it's not a war story. It's a love story, historical narrative, a peek into a world that no longer exists. I loved it. Excellent for fans of Downton Abbey.

A different narrator

Probably

-anybody else I've ever listened to

I didn't listen long enough to make a valid assessment of the story.

Justine Eyre's voice irritated me so much that I couldn't listen to the story.
What I heard was promising, so I tried listening, but had to abandon for the safety of my iPod, which I came perilously close to throwing on the floor and stepping on !!! I can't describe the voice adequately except to say that I spent more time imitating it than listening to it.

I put the book aside for a week and tried again - thinking that a different mood might prove to be the answer - but no! I won't be buying any more books with that narrator.
If I could have given no stars for the narration - I would have.
Thanks.

I really liked this book. I have read other books and seen plays about this time in history when Jewish children were shipped to England to be safe during WW II. This story brought elements to light that I hadn't really thought about before (how it separated siblings, how the children were so worried about their parents, and so on). It is beautifully written and read. A very good listen.

The accent of the narrorator got to be a little much after a while. Other than that is was a good story. I often found myself lost while listening. It might have been easier to read than listen to.

The story makes you care about the charactors. You become part of the household and share in their experience.

The way it takes you along with it. It unfolds before your eyes and you live it. Feel it.

I have never heard Justine Eyre before. She is adaquate, but not my favorite. There were times when I thought her "take" on how the charactors would speak was weak. But as I say, she is fine and in no way takes away from the very good stroy line.

It broke my heart at times. There were moments it made me smile and long for a simpler time.

If you like stories about England and English country houses, stories about the war years in Great Britan, or about the courage of people in trying times, you will enjoy this book. I did.

The story as a whole is good, probably a bit too many twists and turns, but you become satisfied with the outcome of the main character. It could probably be a much shorter book, instead of having long drags of empty words. Its not a captivating book that will leave you in thought for days but a nice love and coming of age story.

This book didn't have the grace of Downton Abby, but the story was solid. Certainly a coming of age story in time of WWII. I would recommend the book. It provides yet another story of how people existed during WWII and the heartache and anxiety that was felt by all.

I recently read War Brides and found that it gave me good background for what was happening outside of big houses like Tyneford. The Distant Hours, by Kate Morton, was a similar story of living in the big estate during war. I think I enjoyed Tyneford the least of these three, actually. Still, I did enjoy it and would recommend it.

Elise, the main character was the most memorable. It was her story, her life we followed.

I really liked this book. The narration was perfect for the story. I love stories set in this era.

This was a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved Elise's courage and beautiful soul.

The voice of Justine Eyre was so perfect for this book. She made me feel like I was at Tyneford.

I was very eager to get back to the story each time, but I wanted to savor it. I didn't want it to end.

Well worth the credit I used to purchase it!