The Forest

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Lynn Redgrave

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Rutherford brings England’s New Forest to life” (The Seattle Times) in this companion to the critically acclaimed Sarum

From the time of the Norman Conquest to the present day, the New Forest, along England’s southern coast, has remained an almost mythical place. It is here that Saxon and Norman kings rode forth with their hunting parties, and where William the Conqueror’s son Rufus was mysteriously killed. The mighty oaks of the forest were used to build the ships for Admiral Nelson’s navy, and the fishermen who lived in Christchurch and Lymington helped Sir Francis Drake fight off the Spanish Armada.

The New Forest is the perfect backdrop for the families who people this epic story. The feuds, wars, loyalties, and passions of many hundreds of years reach their climax in a crime that shatters the decorous society of Bath in the days of Jane Austen, whose family lived on the edge of the Forest.

Edward Rutherfurd is a master storyteller whose sense of place and character—both fictional and historical—is at its most vibrant in The Forest.

“As entertaining as Sarum and Rutherford’s other sweeping novel of British history, London.”—The Boston Globe

©2000 Edward Rutherfurd; 2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Not all good things come in small packages. If you like books that are big, Edward Rutherfurd is your man. He writes wonderful sagas, tales that cover centuries, always keeping these long stories lively by telling us about the events and conflicts of people's lives. Rutherfurd does the painstaking research; the reader has all the fun." (Seattle Times)

"Many of the most memorable characters are women - Adela the Norman, bold in the face of injustice; her descendant Alice Albion, almost brave enough to defeat the hatred of the civil war; tough old Adelaide, so loyal to ancient grievances that she can't let her sweet niece Fanny take hold of love." (Kansas City Star)

"The novel covers 10 centuries, tracking a half-dozen or so families and their fates, their fortunes, and intrigues moving the stories along. But the trees have tales to tell, too. As fiction, it works like a charm.... English majors will love this, and so will almost anyone else who starts page one and follows Puckle, Godwin Pride, Cola the Huntsman and their descendents along Rutherfurd's twisting road." (New York Daily News)

Beware, Abridged. Just a "Readers Digest" version.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, I was disappointed. I didn't realize it was an abridged copy. Most would say "so what?".
Well, I started reading this book when it first came out. I was not able to finish for one reason or another, but the picture in my head of what I did read stayed with me for all these years. After listening to this audio version, something was flat. Missing... It didn't inspire the imaginative pictures like the first time. Then I checked and found out it was an abridgement.
Something really good was left out. The mood, the atmosphere, whatever. It just does not feel more than mundane now. Like reading a "Readers Digest" version of "Gone with the Wind" or some such thing. I do not think I want to finish this audiobook.

If you’ve listened to books by Edward Rutherfurd before, how does this one compare?

Bland.

What does Lynn Redgrave bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very good narration. Excellent!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, Movies are an abridgement as well. And usually butchered for sensationalism.

Any additional comments?

Feel dumb I didn't spot the abridgement classification.

The Forest

First, I really enjoy Edward Rutherfurd's writing; however, I purchased The Forest abridge edition, my mistake and it was horrible. Looking back at the Audible site, I realize now they don't carry the unabridged version. What a disappointment and waste of a credit.

One cannot cut a Rutherfurd novel down to 5 hours. This could have been an interesting book of generations of families. Instead it went 1000 AD to 2000 AD with no description or continuity among the characters. Don't waste your time.

not enough

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. The length. It's too short. I liked the characters, and was ready to enjoy it as much as I had his other books, but it was over almost before he was really able to develop the plot and characters

What did you like best about this story?

the setting. I'm familiar with that area of England, and know some of the history, so it was enjoyable to have someone but the history into a storyline

Which scene was your favorite?

the deception on the beach

Any additional comments?

It was a good read. I'm glad I bought it. I'd just love to have had more.

Why Abridged?

Loved Lynn Redgrave’s narration of this book. I’ve listened to almost all of Edward Rutherford’s books on Audible. Some of my favorite listens. The Forest did not disappoint in story line or history. But I’m so disappointed that this was not the complete edition. Hopefully this great novel will have an unabridged edition on Audible soon.

Short!!

I love the story. But this audiobook is extremely short. If you’re purchasing with credits be aware. It is way too short.

disappointed

I was disappointed with this book. I have really enjoyed the other Rutherfurd books immensely.
This one was too short. The aburpt switch in the last chapter was suprising.

not that good

I had to quit listening. The story is not great and I was very bored.

Wonderful story but centuries skipped, unlike others

The story was Roman nicely, until all of the sudden during the early part of the Napoleonic wars,around 1800, the reader/listener is suddenly in the year 2000. Those 200 years that were skipped were incredibly important ones.

Abridged?

I did not want an abridged version of the book. Disappointed a full version is not available . The abridged version should on be in the bonus section. I want my credit back!!!

Not his best.

Good start but this feels rushed and underdeveloped like he lost passion for this project halfway threw because he got distracted by another idea and decided to rush it to satisfy his publisher. An enjoyable read but compared to Sarum and London this is a poor substitute.

*I just realized the problem....it's an abridged version.