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Wild Lavender  By  cover art

Wild Lavender

By: Belinda Alexandra
Narrated by: Kate Hood
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Publisher's summary

Simone Fleurier is wrenched from her home on a Provencal lavender farm at the age of 14 after the accidental death of her father. Forced to become a maid at the boarding house of her Aunt Augustine in Marseilles, Simone's life is hard and impoverished. But one of her aunt's boarders, the beautiful Camille Casal, a star at the local music hall, gives Simone a dream: that one day she too will be a famous singer and dancer. Years later, the famous Simone Fleurier, toast of Paris, watches Nazi troops occupy the city. Suddenly, her world is turned upside down, and Simone must make new and dangerous choices.
©2005 Belinda Alexandra (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd.

What listeners say about Wild Lavender

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Extrodinary Story

I want everyone to hear this wonderful story. It is one of the best I have ever heard (read) and will remain one of my favorites. I know I am in love with Simone Fluerier the main character. The novel is filled with suspense, merriment, love, sadness and other emotions that follow us through life. Kate Hood's narration is superb and she has command of all the varied voices in this book.
Historians of this period 1930-1945 will find this novel highly researched and informative equal to any historical fiction even though the book is not. I felt as though I was in Paris as the Germans filled the city. Don't miss this one if you like life stories wonderfully told.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Such a beautiful novel. I laughed and I cried. Been a favourite for years, there is no other that i'd recommend with all my heart. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Don't judge this author by this book

I have listened to all of Belinda Alexandra's books that are available on Audible. I am impressed with how much her writing improves from one book to the next. That said, this book is her earliest published book available, and it is rather weak. It doesn't have the character or plot development or complexity of her latest books. While this one is not her finest, I will be looking forward to more Belinda Alexandra books. If you haven't already, I would suggest listening to "Golden Earrings" instead.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't know. People who like to listen to a bad French accent?

What was most disappointing about Belinda Alexandra’s story?

I couldn't get into it. The start dragged and dragged. I tried several times, but I just didn't like the story. And the really bad narration didn't help.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kate Hood?

Caroline Lee who does the other Belinda Alexandra books. She is really good!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment, boredom

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6 people found this helpful

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

Very disappointed

After having listened to Silver Wattle, Tuscan Rose and Wildflower Hill I was so looking forward to this book, but contrary to the other reviewers I couldn't stand the narrator's voice - especially for Simone - and couldn't even finish listening to it. Compared to the other books, I found the story didn't keep my interest. I hardly ever actually write a review - just use the star system - but this one...oh my...not in my top ten.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Reader is hard to get used to

I don't know if I can finish this book. I have made several attempts, but the readers breathy performance drives me nuts. It sometimes takes a little while to get used to a reader, then you get into the story and forget all about the reader. Not this one. I am about nine hours into it. The story is interesting, but moves way too slow. I found that to be the case with Sapphire Skies also, but Caroline Lee carried it and kept you going.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Story

This story covers a long time frame, and takes an unexpected twist when it lasts all the way through WW II. It's a beautiful story, especially if you like romance.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fabulous story

Where does Wild Lavender rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

first

Any additional comments?

What a wonderful story! This is my fourth Belinda Alexandra novel and I loved it every bit as much as her previous ones. Maybe even more! The story is expertly researched, set in the period prior to WW2 and during the war in France and unfolds as a remarkable story about a young woman, Simone Fleurier. It portrays her determination and courage in the face of a range of difficulties and challenges, mixed with a delightful twist, sensitive romance and French culture. Kate Hood narrates it very well. I can’t wait for Alexandra’s latest novel Golden Earrings to come out on audio.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wild Lavender

Time is the 1920s through the end of WWII. The story is one of a naive girl is swept to stardom during the rise of Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich in Germany. Sleazy bars where drugs and trans entertainers are lauded to elegant entertainment stages through France, Germany, New York, with little name dropping cameos by Marlene Deitrich, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Gershwin brothers, Ziegfeld, Ruby Keeler, Al Jolson, Durante, etc.

Wild Lavender is essentially a love story between a cabaret-style entertainer and a priest - the two being raised together from childhood and he sheltering her from the Nazis when they are adults. She’s been mad about him since they were kids, but he has felt obligated to the church. The plot is a familiar one - priest and damsel in distress - some parts made me think of The Thornbirds, but Wild Lavender isn't nearly as good.

No explicit language or sex scenes. If you’re interested in WWII, you might find it interesting - but it’s not a the typical ‘war’ book - think more along the lines of the musical Cabaret.

Audiobook narrated by Kate Hood - no issues with narration, about 20 hours in listening, released by Bolinda Publishing to Audible in 2005.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful historic novel.

Where does Wild Lavender rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10.

What other book might you compare Wild Lavender to and why?

The Tea Rose - for its terrific heroine.

What about Kate Hood’s performance did you like?

Love her voices and accents.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I cried many times in the book, there are a great number of moments which make you laugh or cry!

Any additional comments?

Loved this story and have since listened to 2 more of this author's novels. I love how she weaves history into fiction.

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2 people found this helpful