Cavendon Hall

By: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Narrated by: Anna Bentinck

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling author comes an epic saga of intrigue and mystique set in Edwardian England. Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best, and its sweeping story of secrets, love, honor, and betrayal will have listeners riveted up to the very last word.

Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress who is in charge of the countess's wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters.

For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. Lady Daphne, the most beautiful of the Earl's daughters, is about to be presented at court when a devastating event changes her life and threatens the Ingham name. With World War I looming, both families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible.

Loyalties will be challenged and betrayals will be set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again.

©2014 Beaji Enterprises (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

A must-read

A very well written story with vivid descriptions and lovable characters. I was truly transported to an intriguing historical moment.

Barbara Taylor Bradford is a Saga-Queen!

For better or for worse, Barbara Taylor Bradford is a Saga-Queen. I’ve read a few of her books and my conclusion is that the stories are a little “hit and miss” - some were great and captivating, others were tedious and dreadful.

In general, if you want to read sweeping chronicles that go on and on through many generations then you’ll be in good hand with her novels… of course you have to put them in perspective! They’re a little schmaltzy, a little cliché, somewhat predictable with staged plots – but if you are in the right mood, it all works.

I hated the Ravenscar Dynasty Series because it was so unfulfilling!

The early Emma Harte Series were good, but the later “modern” ones were not that special… after a while I felt like nothing was going on!

This series (well, Book 1 anyway) was enjoyable. Could it be because the lives of early 20th century English aristocrats is particularly in fashion now-a-days thanks to DTA? Whatever the reason it all worked for me and I was entertained throughout. I’ve already downloaded Book 2.

Sticky Sweet and Shallow

This book was written in a fairytale semi-historic way that is so without depth that the individual characters can be summed up in the author's few words. Once these words are introduced, they are used ad nauseam. For aristocratic Ingham women:
"lovely, kind, so gentle and caring", frosted with sweetness and aching heart's. (Who must pass the time of day thinking only of ballgowns.)
Then the aristocratic men:
"Devoted, entranced, so brave, so noble." This goo is topped with variations of:
"What ever is wrong, my dear, lovely wife?" Often altered "my dear girl" or my personal favorite, "What ever can it be, my dear love?"
In fairness, the last quote is altered to fit both genders, in all strata of society.
If that weren't enough, the servants of the aristocrats – in this case the "Swann Family" are cursed with their own never ending phrases and heart aches. Though not nearly as pervasive as the aristocratic Ingham's. If I could run a word program choosing these words, and sickly sweet phrases, it might read in the hundreds.
If you don't mind being bombarded with "My dear's" and characters whose lives center on the next ball or frock, you might enjoy it. Otherwise, run! You will never get those hours back.

Ending was not what I was expecting :(

I thought the performance was great but didn't like the ending at all. Very disappointed

Ending left surprising questions unanswered...

Predictable without resolution of most intriguing plot line. Have never read this author before so perhaps this is just a set up for a sequel. I'm not that interested in any of the characters to spend my time on another book by this auther

If it's Barbara Taylor Bradford, it must be good

As usual, I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very good story and I especially liked that she didn't draw it out for several more hours.

Truly distracting and enchanting!

Through the chaos of today, find solace, become refreshed, gain strength to move forward! Heartfelt love and commitment can prevail!

Love this story

What did you love best about Cavendon Hall?

I so enjoyed this story, the characters and the plot were all great. Can't wait to listen to the next book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cavendon Hall?

Hugo accepting Daphne despite what happened to her.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was ok with the females but EVERY male sounded like they were 80+ years old. It was very distracting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

get a different narrator.

predictable and a bit dull

The story gets a bit predictable and dull, mostly because the lead characters are flawless, apart for being good looking, they accept everything and forgive everything

Entertaining

Nice story. Not exciting but kept my attention as some things happened you didn't expect and some that you did. Family life was much different back then story of the first world war from England's point of view and aristocrats.