In the Land of the Long White Cloud

In the Land of the Long White Cloud Saga, Book 1

By: Sarah Lark, D.W Lovett - translator

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Hardworking London governess Helen Davenport longs for a family of her own but knows the prospect of finding a suitable husband grows dimmer each year. Then she spots an advertisement seeking wives for the churchgoing bachelors of colonial New Zealand and begins an affectionate correspondence with a gentleman farmer.

Meanwhile, not far away in Wales, society life bores Gwyneira Silkham, beautiful, daring daughter of a wealthy sheep breeder. She finds an unexpected escape when her father loses a blackjack hand to a mysterious New Zealand baron — and Gwyn’s hand in marriage goes to the baron’s son.The women cross paths on the ship to Christchurch — Helen traveling steerage, Gwyn first class — and form an unlikely friendship, one they’ll rely on when the husbands awaiting them turn out very different than they’d imagined.

This nineteenth-century saga of two unforgettable young women — navigating a new world and finding friendship, romance, and adventure at every turn — is as lush and sweeping as the hills of New Zealand themselves.

Public Domain (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A sweeping saga

I would actually give this book 3.5 stars if that was an option. The book had an interesting plot, but I thought it was just too long and cumbersome. I had a hard time sticking with it. It was well researched though, and I enjoyed learning some history of New Zealand.

Love is hard to find

This book was a colorful story of the wealthy and the poor, written around people who loved animals.

Predictable

Predictable story with an exotic setting. Good for a long car ride or other journey.

Great New Zealand Story! With lots of daring do!

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

I didn't like the narrator as her voice seemed rather sibilant and slurry. An English narrator would have been better. Her voice somewhat spoilt the story.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story especially as it was about my homeland. It was historically correct and that was an added bonus. The story was exciting and I'd gladly read another book if it was serialised.

Good Listen

Love listening to Sarah Lark's audio books! They take you away for awhile.... you will enjoy them