Lark Rise

By: Flora Thompson

Narrated by: Karen Cass

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Lark Rise is Flora Thompson's childhood memories of a north Oxfordshire village, the people who lived and worked in it, and a way of life that has totally disappeared. The story is built around Laura and her brother Edmund, through whose eyes are seen 'old Sally', whose grandfather built the house she lived in before the enclosure of the heathland, children's games, the interaction of village and gentry, and the way in which the seasons governed life.

©1939 Flora Thompson (P)2019 Soundings

A glimpse...

a great glimpse into what might have been. not like the tv show but still very sweet.

Interesting Historical Information, No Story Line

If you are looking for a book that goes into the daily ins and outs of life in the 1800's, this is exactly what you are looking for. There was a lot of really interesting information, but it is by no means a story or even history of Flora's life. The information is mostly observations of life growing up in a small town and an occasional story from Flora's childhood. If you were a fan of the Lark Rise to Candleford television series, you will be surprised at the lack of a story line, but will hear an occasional name that you recognize from the show. Karen Cass was excellent and made it much easier to listen to than I would have expected this information to be. Overall, I did enjoy the experience, it just was not at all what I was expecting.

England. Little House

This is a great look at how life was in England It is kind of like Little House on the Prairie. We always think things being rich and elegant in England. I soon learned they were not. Life was hard and work never ended.

Lark Rise

I was expecting to hear a novel - with characters and a plot - so I was disappointed at first. The story is a reminiscence and enjoyable as such. The reader was excellent.

Not what I was expecting

The whole book is just a glance at life in this small country town. There isn't really any story or plot. I was expecting the book to be more like the TV show that was made with this same title. It felt like a build-up to future stories.

Fascinating look into history!

My husband and I are watching the BBC stories, but I really needed to listen to the the many details of this town. Flora Thompson brings the people and culture alive with words. I now have a sense of what some of my ancestors were like. I thoroughly enjoyed this look into history. Thank you.

A countryside gone by

A gentle amble through a time gone by. A beautiful book. Well drawn characters and storyline, interspersed with country law and country ways.I found the ending very moving.

Lovely Story

Super story of a pastoral life gone by. Relatable family life and beautifully read.

A true classic, well read.

Like many, I know of Larkrise through the BBC adaptation but this book had remained unread on my shelf. I really enjoyed this version and found the narration easy to listen to with no 'rustification' more than necessary.
Don't expect a straight narrative - it's a loose collection of observations and recollections.
As I tend to listen to Audible on journeys, I was curious to realise that I was passing Juniper Hill (just off the link road between the M1 and Oxford) and took a look. Some of the stone houses of 'The Rise' can still be seen.

Lovely book about a past era

I loved this book. It is well written and well narrated and gives an excellent insight to rural life in the 1880's. Flora Thompson was a skilled writer and a contemporary of this time; I did not want the book to end.
Karen Cass captured the characters with great skill and compassion.