Golden Earrings

By: Belinda Alexandra

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 20 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Catalina, the grand-daughter of Spanish refugees is a disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet. Little gets inthe way of her career until the visit of an otherworldly being, who leaves her a mysterious pair of golden earrings.

Given a quest, Catalina realises she must explore her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and ‘La Rusa’, a young Andalusian flamenco star.

La Rusa died in exile in Paris in 1952, her death ruled as suicide. But as Catalina begins to discover, there were those in the Spanish émigré community, amongst them her grandmother, who had good reason for wanting La Rusa dead.

©2011 Belinda Alexandra (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Amazing Amazing Amazing!!!

Where does Golden Earrings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top Audiosbooks I ever listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Selestina,is resilient, brave, ind inspirational.

Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

Caroline Lee is wonderful to listen to. I seek out books that she reads.

a masterpiece

Would you listen to Golden Earrings again? Why?

yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

all main characters

Have you listened to any of Caroline Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not yet

If you could rename Golden Earrings, what would you call it?

this is a perfect title will not change anything

Any additional comments?

i read a lot this is one of the best books i have read recently

Excellent!

I really enjoyed the plot twists and attention to detail. As always Caroline Lee was excellent!

I'm so sad this is over

I listen to and read books constantly. This hits my sweet spot of the perfect book and I just did NOT want it to end. Listen to this now 😊

Enthralling and heartwrenching

Fantastic characters who share their emotion and growth with you. You are frustrated when they are angry, you are sad when they are remorseful. I wanted to stay in the present at first in the world of competitive ballet in Paris in the 70s, but as the story line develops and the mysteries draw you in, I wanted to stay in the Spanish civil war story. I had been wary of this since there weren't a lot of reviews although this is not a brand new audiobook. However, this gamble payed off. I could hardly stop listening. Even plugging in with my eyes closed for a few more minutes at night before falling asleep. Great ties between family generations portraying the love and both the misunderstanding and understandings across generations.

Great Read!

Would you listen to Golden Earrings again? Why?

The story is seen and told from 3 different angles and perspectives - none is 100% correct, but together they unfold an amazingly fascinating tale that winds it's way through a very interesting part of history.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paloma is an accomplished young woman who is seeking her own identity in a world she doesn't understand, with a background and heredity that was unknown and slowly being revealed. In order to accomplish her potential as a premier dancer she needs to reveal who she truly is, and then use her hidden talents.

Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

Mamie

If you could take any character from Golden Earrings out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Gaspar - His perspective on the events would have been great!

Loved this book...

The history of the Spanish Civil War, the well developed characters and the storyline make this an excellent audiobook. Caroline Lee, as usual, does an outstanding narration. I definitely recommend this book.

Excellent reading of history and mystery.

Where does Golden Earrings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high....I couldn't put this down at some points. There was a surprise around every corner.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the history and location of the story. I have visited Florence and knew the places mentioned in the story.

Have you listened to any of Caroline Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Caroline Lee is always an exceptional reader.

I just wanted it to end.

I spent most if this book just wanting it to end. I've enjoyed her other books, but this one just wasn't interesting to me.

Engrossing story.

If you could sum up Golden Earrings in three words, what would they be?

History, family, insight.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paloma's grandmother, who was loving, forgiving and protective, was for me the crux of the story that unfoded for Paloma.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The French accents were good. The switches between Spanish and French 'voices' were poor, often not changing when the character changed, then changing part way through. The underlying Australian accent intruded at times, like another character that had no identity.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The dance of history.

Any additional comments?

The recording should have been more carefully edited and polished regarding the 'voices' of the characters.