Virgin Earth

Tradescant Novels, Book 2

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 25 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In this enthralling, freestanding sequel to Earthly Joys, Gregory combines a wealth of gardening knowledge with a haunting love story that spans two continents and two cultures, making Virgin Earth a tour de force of revolutionary politics and passionate characters.

As England descends into civil war, John Tradescant the Younger, gardener to King Charles I, finds his loyalties in question, his status an ever-growing danger to his family. Fearing royal defeat and determined to avoid serving the rebels, John escapes to the royalist colony of Virginia, a land bursting with fertility that stirs his passion for botany. Only the native American peoples understand the forest, and John is drawn to their way of life just as they come into fatal conflict with the colonial settlers. Torn between his loyalty to his country and family and his love for a Powhatan girl who embodies the freedom he seeks, John has to find himself before he is prepared to choose his direction in the virgin land.

©2018 Philippa Gregory (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

If you were a gardener you may enjoy this read

I rather liked the plot line of this novel. I enjoyed the narrator very much. what I did not enjoy was the anger and the shouting. It was excessive but true to typical British communication techniques. I found Little Johnny to be a simpering fool of a character. I enjoyed the read but, as someone has said before, not Philipa’s best.

One of the best books I have listened to!!!

Highly recommended!! Philippa Gregory really does her research! While you learn about 17th century England (especially Charles I, parliament, and Cromwell) and the beginning of the New World at Jamestown, Virginia, you see John Tradescant torn between two (or three?) cultures! Though the book was long, I wouldn’t take anything out of it! Educational and totally entertaining!

Historic England & Jamestown

Based on the (real person) gardener, his experiences as gardener to King Charles I, his wife, his trips to Colonial Virginia and the English Civil War.

1) cover is mostly of North Carolina & only includes the Jamestown area at the top of the design.

2) I found his experiences depressing.

wonderful

one of my favorite audio books ever,
it will take you to another world
it deserves 6 stars

Wasn't my favorite but an entertaining history lesson

This is the first of her books where I couldn't warm up to any of the characters. If you're reading it for a history lesson on that time period, then it is an entertaining way to do that.

Great historical detail!

Loved the story interwoven with history. I’m a gardener, so found it especially interesting. Some disappointing twists and I didn’t like the ending. Don’t know if it’s fact the author had to follow or her choice.

How does she come up with all these details

I read about the gardeners of King Charles I. The abrupt ending that someone commented about being implausible actually did occur.
I thought it an excellent story of might have truly been their lives!

Great story

This is a book that you don't want to put down. So many twist and turns at times very deep.

I liked it

Phillipa Gregory is a fabulous author. Her details about plants and flowers was not only interesting but very educational. I was always love her her books.

PG, my favorite

I loved book one and two and am hoping for a continuation of this family saga in a book three. Please PG. From my lips to your ever creative mind.