High Rising

A Virago Modern Classic

De: Angela Thirkell, Alexander McCall Smith - introduction

Narrado por: Jilly Bond

Successful lady novelist Laura Morland and her boisterous young son, Tony, set off to spend Christmas at her country home in the sleepy surrounds of High Rising. But Laura's wealthy friend and neighbour, George Knox, has taken on a scheming secretary whose designs on marriage to her employer threaten the delicate social fabric of the village.

Can clever, practical Laura rescue George from Miss Grey's clutches and, what's more, help his daughter, Miss Sibyl Knox, to secure her longed-for engagement?

Utterly charming and very funny, High Rising is irresistible comic entertainment.

©2016 Angela Thirkell (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK

I've discovered a gem!

I found both the story and the narration very entertaining. I enjoyed it from the beginning and hated for it to end. I'm looking forward to more books from this author and narrator. It was a delightful mixture of mystery, family drama, romance and just plain fun.

Front row seats ...

I read Thirkell in my teens and decades later am trying the Audible version. It's more delicious than ever, her wit is even sharper when performed. One might as well be at a Broadway play. Am quickly moving on to the next one.

An Absolute Treat From Start To Finish..!!

I finished this truly enjoyable read half an hour ago ,... and I'm STILL smiling.
Jilly Bond as narrator was the perfect choice with all of the varying characters intonations.. she was spot on point the entire time..
What a delight.. thanks Audible for offering this little gem..!!

Entertaining enough and with twists

What did you love best about High Rising?

I love the characters, the main ones being independent, self-sufficient women. The comedic thoughts of Laura about her boy was particularly engaging - it's how a parent can remain sane during different phases a child goes through.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No one in particular stood out.

What three words best describe Jilly Bond’s performance?

Way too fast.At times in an effort to express certain characters, she raced through conversations. I had to back up and re-listen to understand some things she was saying. I would have enjoyed a slower pace in several parts much more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I especially appreciated the care taken to treat others well - Ann Todd caring for her mother, for example, and the fact that others showed respect for her because of it.

Any additional comments?

The author's choices for motivations of characters were interesting and sometimes totally spot-on - like engaged couples being in a world of their own - better to marry quickly than have a long engagement. I would like to see some character flaws in Laura who was almost too perfect.

Amazing Narrator Elevates this Story

I listened to this on audio and found the reading of it absolutely delightful. It’s rare for me to enjoy an audio book more than a written one, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a better voice actor. Jilly Bond took a rather lightweight story and imbued it with so much charm I listened in almost one sitting making Saturday a very cozy day. I loved the main character and especially her relationship with her little son. Not unexpectedly for a book written in 1933, there were some of the usual comments that wouldn’t pass today (stereotypical comment said about Jews, natives, etc) but these, if jarring, were rare.

This narrator and book are the perfect match

I’ve listened to this at least 4 times over the last several years - just perfect :-).

Stories about people told by a great author.

It is refreshing to read about the relationships of average people in a fictitious but recognizable community in the early twentieth century.

Delightfully Quirky Characters

This book series is new to me and I can’t wait to dive into the rest! As much fun and wit as Wodehouse with all the English Countryside charm one could hope for.

Tony’s Mother

A delightful story. Looking forward to reading more of the series. The characters are wonderful!

Beginning of a journey

High Rising is the first book in Angela Thirkell's revisiting of the land of Barsetshire in England, this area having been created by Anthony Trollope many years earlier. If you enjoy a mixture of clever use of language, insight into human relationships, the frustrations of daily life, satire and more this may be the series for you. And Jilly Bond does a very creditable job of telling this story, distinguishing characters and portraying the spirit of the book.

My one complaint of this recording is that the headline clearly states "Alexander McCall Smith - introduction", and that introduction is NOT included in the recording!!! The introduction is present in the Kindle and paper versions, but NOT in the audiobook. Audible should either get Jilly Bond to read the introduction and upgrade/update the offering or change the way this is listed/documented to make it clear that the introduction is NOT included in the reading.

In spite of this, I hope very much that more of Thirkell's works will be made available through Audible and also that more of them be made wispersync compatible.