Netherwood

By: Jane Sanderson

Narrated by: Penny McDonald

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Eve Williams is about to discover just how the other half really live....

Above stairs: Lord Netherwood keeps his considerable fortune ticking over with the profits from his three coal mines in the vicinity. It's just as well the coal is of the highest quality as the upkeep of Netherwood Hall, his splendid estate on the outskirts of town, doesn't come cheap. And that's not to mention the cost of keeping his wife and daughters in the latest fashions - and keeping the heir, the charming but feckless Tobias, out of trouble.

Below stairs: Eve Williams, is the wife of one of Lord Netherwood's most stalwart employees. When her ordered existence amid the terraced rows of the miners' houses is brought crashing down by the twin arrivals of tragedy and charity, Eve must look to her own self-sufficiency, and talent, to provide for her three young children. And it's then that 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' collide in truly dramatic fashion....

©2011 Jane Sanderson (P)2011 Hachette Digital

Loved it! Can't wait for the sequel

I absolutely loved this story. The characters are engaging, the story is well formed and the narrator is spot on. I didn't want it to end. I am SO glad there will be a sequel.

For Downtown Abbey fans

If you loved the series "Downton Abbey", this is a great book to satisfy the same fascination with the lifestyles of British aristocracy, counter-balanced by the lives of those of serve them. Good characters, excellent historical background. My only complaint is the rather rushed ending, with definite indications of a sequel.

Exhausting to listen to - very wordy - boring.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A story that was less detailed - constant lengthy use of unnecessary details about every act, scene, room, etc.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jane Sanderson again?

Possibly - her performance was well done - difficult to follow due to the accent which she performs well.

Any additional comments?

I could not bear to finish the book. I started listening on 3 different times; trying to follow the story and appreciate the book. The book had high ratings - but it dragged on with details about senseless things such as cracking an egg and stirring ingredients in a bowl. It took 5 minutes to describe a simple act that had nothing to do with the progress of the story. Completely disappointed. I have never NOT FINISHED a book in my life until this one.

Predicatable, pleasant, perhaps a bit unrealistic?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Hmmm, I'd suggest this book to a friend, if they just wanted to pass the time and meander through a book; not sure I'd recommend it as such. If I had it on my bookshelf, I'd see if they wanted to borrow it but I guess it's not something I'd be pushing as a "must read/listen".

What did you like best about this story?

I like a good long book and this fitted the bill on that front.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

At the start of the "listen", the narration was a little like that of a children's book - all cheerful and excited; it toned down to a better delivery as the book went on.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

It's a nice enough book! Bit concerned that some books are written to appeal to "book clubs" (especially with the questions for discussion at the end ...!) and "fashion" (Downton Abbey fans). Also, rather an abrupt ending - thought I'd missed a bit! And not sure I'll be investing in the sequel - didn't quite believe in Eve and her "fairy pies" and not sure I can cope going through the Great War with the characters in this book. Just not for me I think.

Compelling listen

Great listen especially if your from around the area of Wentworth Woodhouse bit awkward getting used to the name changes but not enough to spoil the listen