The Fever Tree

De: Jennifer McVeigh

Narrado por: Jayne Paterson

Having drawn comparisons to Gone with the Wind and Out of Africa, The Fever Tree is a page-turner of the very first order.

Frances Irvine, left destitute in the wake of her father’s sudden death, has been forced to abandon her life of wealth and privilege in London and emigrate to the Southern Cape of Africa. 1880 South Africa is a country torn apart by greed. In this remote and inhospitable land she becomes entangled with two very different men—one driven by ambition, the other by his ideals. Only when the rumor of a smallpox epidemic takes her into the dark heart of the diamond mines does she see her path to happiness.
But this is a ruthless world of avarice and exploitation, where the spoils of the rich come at a terrible human cost and powerful men will go to any lengths to keep the mines in operation. Removed from civilization and disillusioned by her isolation, Frances must choose between passion and integrity, a decision that has devastating consequences.
The Fever Tree is a compelling portrait of colonial South Africa, its raw beauty and deprivation alive in equal measure. But above all it is a love story about how—just when we need it most—fear can blind us to the truth.

A visit to South Africa

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

I would only recommend this to someone who has a particular interest in the history of the time and in conditions in the diamond mines of South Africa. The setting and discriptions of Africa were quite vivid, and the history obviously well researched. But, the characters were self-absorbed to a fault, and the story had many slow sections, then rushed to a neat but unrealistic ending.

Who was your favorite character and why?

That's the main drawback of this story. No one was very likable. Some characters were more unpleasant than others, but all of the main characters seemed self-absorbed in their respective ways. It was difficult to feel sympathy anyone.

Have you listened to any of Jayne Paterson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I enjoyed this performance and would listen to another book read by this performer.

A gripping tale

Fabulous story with good narration that kept me interested throughout! The character development of Frances is well done but I would have liked to see more of the same for her husband. The author's descriptive writing is so good that you clearly gain insight into some of the extraordinary phenomenons of a land so distant and different from my own, the arid veldt of South Africa. It's a gripping tale of love, loss and transformation.

The Fever Tree

I was very disappointed with the story. The main character was unbelievable. She was is so many situations that did not seem possible, her insecurities and naïveté were ridiculous.

good book great performance

loved this book so different than any others that I have read. loved hearing about South Africa and even the small pox. loved the two characters Francis and Edwin. don't want to spoil it but loved their relationship ups and downs and how it ultimately turns out.

Interesting about South Africa, but weak ending

The story about diamond mining in South Africa was nteresting, but the contrived ending was the reason for three stars.