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The Duchess  By  cover art

The Duchess

By: Danielle Steel
Narrated by: Gideon Emery
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Publisher's summary

An enthralling novel set in early 19th-century England, Paris, and New York, featuring an indomitable young heroine who rises from ruin to become the toast of Paris, by way of the chic bordello she establishes for the most powerful men in France.

Turned out of her ancestral home by her vicious half brother, the orphaned daughter of an English duke and a French noblewoman makes her way to Paris and takes in abused French streetwalkers, transforming them into sought-after courtesans in the city's most exclusive bordello, Le Boudoir. It is only the beginning of her return to the upper reaches of society and ultimate justice.

©2017 Danielle Steel (P)2017 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Duchess

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Provides nice fantasy escape

While I really enjoyed this story initially, the way the author continued to remind us how beautiful Angelique is and how smart she is and how people are drawn to her and want to be near her was very repetitive. I understand that in the beginning it is necessary to help set the tone of the story and to repeat it again later for certain situations is one thing, but every time a new characters relationship was discussed the entire thing was repeated over and over. Otherwise the story was grand and wonderful...the ending, superb.
I really enjoyed this narrator and enjoyed his many voices for the various characters. I have had quite a bit of experience with audio books in the past that have not been this pleasant.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fenris reads!

Gideon Emery's performance is perfection. His character voices are varied, and his pacing is moderate. It's like having Fenris read a bedtime story to Hawke. But, Varric would have written a much more interesting story.

I thought I was getting a romance novel by the "great" Danielle Steele. The writing is repetitive and there isn't any sex!!! NONE! The love interest doesn't even show up until the last 1/10th of the book. The character of the Duchess is a feminist. That's about the only good thing I have to say about it. Reminiscent of Downton Abbey, with less interesting characters.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

If you like Downton Abbey, you will enjoy this book. Could not stop listening to it.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Loved the storyline and the narrator did a fabulous job! When do we get a sequel?

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

An insult to writing

This book is the most two-dimensional, uninspired piece of writing I've ever read. The entire book reads like Cliffnotes, all telling and no showing. It feels as if Danielle Steele wrote a bunch of footnotes about the plot, had an intern fill in some empty words to make complete sentences, and then sent it off to be published.

The narrator could have phoned it in, but his performance is the only interesting thing about this book. I genuinely feel sorry for him for having to slog through this garbage.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Granny Dan may take a side seat to this one!

As a dance teacher my favorite book by DS has always been Granny Dan however this title will be a very , very close second if not right beside on the "favorite shelve" !

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing book

I loved this book. The main character keeps you rooting for her as she faces numerous struggles. Danielle Steel is one of my favorite authors.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Emotional

I had every emotion you can have while listening to this book. The revenge was wonderful.


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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Keeps you guessing!

I couldn't stop listening. Right when you thought you knew what was going to happen, there was a curve ball. Great story.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Duchess

liked the story. fun to listen too espwcially the ending. some sad parts but Danielle alwaus brings them stronger.

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2 people found this helpful