Sea of Memories

By: Fiona Valpy

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

When Kendra first visits her ailing grandmother, Ella has only one request: that Kendra write her story down, before she forgets…

In 1937, seventeen-year-old Ella’s life changes forever when she is sent to spend the summer on the beautiful Île de Ré and meets the charismatic, creative Christophe. They spend the summer together, exploring the island’s sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, and, for the first time in her life, Ella feels truly free.

But the outbreak of war casts everything in a new light. Ella is forced to return to Scotland, where she volunteers for the war effort alongside the dashing Angus. In this new world, Ella feels herself drifting further and further from who she was on the Île de Ré. Can she ever find her way back? And does she want to?

From the windswept Île de Ré to the rugged hills of Scotland, Sea of Memories is a spellbinding journey about the power of memory, love and second chances.

©2018 by Fiona Valpy. (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Frustrating narration of a compelling story...

I don’t know who was in charge of quality control on this audiobook project, but the droning tone and repetitive cadence of this narration spoiled this otherwise compelling and interesting novel for me and I couldn’t finish it.

Couldn't listen to it

The narrator was horrid. As the main character she sounded like she was bored, wvery single sentence delivered with no inflection, no emotion, no interest. Her other characters were very nice so I don't get it, but I'll read the book, because this is torture.

Could not make it through the first chapter.....

I have no idea if this was a good read, or not. I could not make it through the first chapter. The narrator has a beautiful voice, but her intonation was not beautiful. I could not determine where one sentence ended and another began. Was she making a statement or asking a question? I have no idea. To give the author the benefit of doubt, I will attempt to read the hard copy. I just cannot recommend the Audible version.

Inequitable narration

I would of liked this book better except for the narrator who's inflection annoyed me. At every comma her inflection went up and too long of a pause.

Audible review only!!

Note:. this is simply for the audio version.

I listen to audio books all the time during my commute, but I could not continue past the first chapter of this one. If it were all just character voices only, it would be ok. Those were fine. But the narrative had such a sing-song-y thing going on that I couldn't follow what was happening. It was just so odd to me. So disappointed. I'm looking forward to finding time to read the book myself.

good book...bad narrator

I loved the book but struggled to listen to the narrator. Every sentence was like a question.

I usually love her books

I had to turn it off a couple of chapters in. Maybe, I didn't give it a chance, but I couldn't listen to the narrative a moment longer. It grated on my nerves and I found myself tuning out the endless done. Every sentence, ended on an up note She had some fabulous accents. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough dialogue to keep me interested. which is sad as it sounded interesting.

Didn’t finish book

I really wasn’t grabbed by the story or the narrator’s voice, which was fast paced and stilted. I like audio books normally, but this one just didn’t intrigue me at all.

Narrator's rhythm and tone too grating

I usually am really careful to listen to a narrator before I select a book, somehow this one slipped past my normal reviews. I just couldn't stand this narrator. Most of her sentences, particularly when they were not dialog, ended with exactly the same tone in a way that I can't quite describe but it was incredibly annoying. I couldn't even get through the book - returning it after listening for just a short time.

The Reader drove me crazy.

It might be a great story and it might be well written, but the reader spoiled it for me, and I couldn't get beyond the third chatper. Her inflection was maddening, lifting her voice at the end of every sentence like it was a question.

not sure.

I didn't Finnish the book as I didn't like the narrator.i think maybe a different voice would have been better.

Lovely story.

I’m afraid that I found the narrators voice and style uncomfortable. The story was well written and was was carried along in it.

Enchanting story but let down by the narrator

This story is fantastic. It takes you away on a journey to distant times and places which feel so real you could be there. Whilst I cannot fault the story and the author's style of writing, I do feel that the narrator was not right for this book. I have never had an issue with any audible narrator before but I feel she is too stiff and her Scottish accent does not do the characters justice which is a real shame.

Disappointing

I haven't been able to give a proper review on the story itself, which in fact was probably one that I would like, because I couldn't cope with the reader. Her intonation was strange and very difficult to listen to. I have the book on my Kindle though so I shall read it instead.

Disappointed

Agree with other comments that the narrator was not sufficiently adept for this story. Character development is paramount.

Perfect summer read.

Loved this book. Captured the spirit of Ile de Re, a marvelous destination that you won't want to leave! Gorgeous story of 2 brave women who both faced challenges.

Sea of memories

I really enjoyed this story & the narrators voices for the different characters was sensitive and well done. However I felt the narrator did not alter her expression enough when reading the script. In particular when the story shifted time or location. This was sometimes confusing & it almost read like continuous script in places & lacked emotion when required. As this is an emotional story this detracted from the enjoyment. Overall I did enjoy the story very much.

Fantastic Read

I absolutely adored this book. I had it on Audible for when I walk and also on Kindle for down time. The story was wonderful, beautifully portrayed and the descriptions made it easy to imagine what it was like for Ellen and Christoph. A real page turner. The ending was not at all what I expected and I like that most especially.
The narrator would not have been my choice. She didn't make the book come alive as it should. Her voice was very flat and toneless throughout and one had to imagine what the characters might sound like.
Overall, it was a fantastic read and I felt the usual sadness that I often do when finishing a really good book

could not finish good story

I am sorry but I just could not finish this book. It was spoilt by the worst narration I have ever come across. I will try further on kindle as the story did promise to be riveting.

Narration

Every sentence is narration as read with same intonation. Foe me this detracted from the message is the novel