Villa in Italy

De: Elizabeth Edmondson

Narrado por: Nicolette McKenzie

Marvellously atmospheric tale of strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but nobody knows their benefactress....

Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer’s block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she?

While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden, and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before.

Slowly four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change - and even hope - is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all....

A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two and the personal consequences of living through such a time and a celebration of humankind’s ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

©2006 Elizabeth Edmondson (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

A really interesting and engaging listen

So much more than I expected. A wonderful story that incorporates history an interesting cast of characters and some intrigue. This is worth the listen.

Intriguing story!

I really injoyed the story. It started off slow but overall I see why!

Good listen

I enjoyed the book, it had a reasonable plot and kept you guessing. The ending was surprise and unexpected. I would recommend.

An Enjoyable Story and Narration

It was refreshing to find a book with both intrigue and uplifting scenarios. I will definitely listen more than once.

Brilliant and entertaining...

Finally a truly original story that keeps one enthralled from beginning to end. Nicely done!

Lovely book, beautifully written

lovely book, beautifully written with charming characters and a delightful plot. reader was great as well

Great Mystery.

This was a great story with a lot of mystery & intrigue. It took us on a great adventure & introduced us to some very interesting Characters.

Enjoyable feel good read

This isn't great literature. It isn't trying to be. It is difficult to categorize as it isn't a romance and it isn't a mystery (well there is a 'mystery' but not of the typical kind). It is simply nicely written chance to visit a lovely place and people that you (for the most part) would enjoy spending time with.

It is fluff, but I did enjoy it. I unraveled a fair number of the mystery threads and that didn't keep me from wanting to hear to the end. This is definitely a "make a cuppa and relax" book.

I also enjoyed the narrator.

Surprisingly good

Villa in Italy, for me, was a slow and rather confused starter, not aided by the narration which lacked definition of characters. However, I must say tha, as the characters unraveled the Villa's mystery, the story gained in interest and sense, until by at least the last half, I truly was glad that I'd chosen to read -- listen to -- Villa.
It's a story with mystery, set in rich surroundings which I totally enjoyed, with characters who are somewhat unique. Ms. Edmondson does a good job of creating her settings with easily imagined details that add a lot to her story. It's just fine that it's woven with some familiar threads.
I recommend Villa for pleasant, interesting reading -- and, even though I'd not seek out the narrator, it's good-enough listening. In fact, after finishing Elizabeth Edmondson's Villa, I decided to go to her author page to discover more about her and what she's written. I think she describes her goals with her writing well and, that she does fulfill her intentions. I'm going to try more of this author's books. Glad to have found her.

Loved the story and the narration!

The listener is kept engaged throughout. The intriguing plot was difficult to discern which maintained interest. I loved the Italian setting and time period!