The White Hare

De: Jane Johnson

Narrado por: Danielle Cohen

For fans of Alice Hoffman and Kate Morton, The White Hare is a spellbinding novel about mothers and daughters finding a new home for themselves, the secrets they try to bury, and the local legends that may change their lives.

In the far west of Cornwall lies the White Valley, which cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea at White Cove. The valley has a long and bloody history, laced with folklore, and in it sits a house above the beach that has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation and a strange atmosphere, which is why mother and daughter Magdalena and Mila manage to acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954.

Magda has grand plans to restore the house to its former glory as a venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for cocktails and for bracing walks along the coast. Her grown daughter, Mila, just wants to escape the scandal in her past and make a safe and happy home for her little girl, Janey, a solitary, precocious child blessed with a vivid imagination, much of which she pours into stories about her magical plush toy, Rabbit.

But Janey’s rabbit isn’t the only magical being around. Legend has it that an enchanted white hare may be seen running through the woods. Is it an ill omen or a blessing? As Mila, her mother, and her young daughter adjust to life in this mysterious place, they will have to reckon with their own pasts and with the secrets that have been haunting the White Valley for decades.

©2022 Jane Johnson. First published in the UK in 2022 by Head of Zeus Ltd, part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

The richness of the mood created by the story.

Loved the story, the period of time and the characters. Very good narration as well.

Brilliant narration

The nagging question is, what kind of story is this: mystical? Imaginary? Paranormal? Expert storytelling and a haunting atmosphere lead the listener to make predictions - the best kind of gothic novel! Danielle Cohen narrates so believably, and gives each character such a skillfully drawn personality, that you can perfectly cast the mind movie of the story. This performance will set a high standard for even the most avid listeners.

A charming book!

I absolutely loved this book. Jane Johnson might be my favorite author at the moment.

An Enchantment!

I love magical realism and this book did not disappoint. It dragged a bit in a few places but the characters made up for it. The author stressed the importance of reverence for natural history and truth about human history. I loved the precocious five year old daughter who reminded us to enjoy the enchantment we witness each day in nature’s wonders. This book was also about being given chances and what we do with them can change our lives in miraculous ways.

Very enjoyable

This story was very interesting with lots of twists. The narration was excellent with clearly defined voices. The length was wonderful and I could easily do other tasks while listening and still follow the story. I recommend it!