The Last Summer

By: Judith Kinghorn

Narrated by: Jane Wymark

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

A sweeping debut, perfect for reading groups and fans of Kate Morton and Downton Abbey - a beautiful and haunting story of lost innocence and a powerful, enduring love.Clarissa is almost seventeen when the spell of her childhood is broken. It is 1914, the beginning of a blissful, golden summer - and the end of an era. Deyning Park is in its heyday, the large country house filled with the laughter and excitement of privileged youth preparing for a weekend party.

When Clarissa meets Tom Cuthbert, home from university and staying with his mother, the housekeeper, she is dazzled. Tom is handsome and enigmatic; he is also an outsider. Ambitious, clever, his sights set on a career in law, Tom is an acute observer, and a man who knows what he wants. For now, that is Clarissa.

©2012 Judith Kinghorn (P)2012 Headline Digital

The Last Summer, by Judith Kinghorn

This book is a great listen. I can safely say it has totally taken over every waking moment, and have found myself listening to it, while cooking, walking, shopping! A must. A wonderful love affair and beautifully read.

a wonderful story. I loved loved it.

If you liked downtown abby then I am certain you will love this.
This is one book that I will definitely read again.

It has left me with a nice warm feeling in my heart.

Captivating, engaging, enraging

I got this as part of a two-for-one promo, so I wasn't expecting much. It started off as what I thought was a rather cliched love story across the class divide, and I don't like love stories much, as a rule, so I put it aside for a few days. It did, though, have an underlying teasing erotic tension, never explicitly stated, so I picked it up again! When I started listening once more, I rapidly became totally addicted to it, and listened to the book all over the house, on the bus, on my walks, in the garden while hanging up the washing, etc. Rarely do I find myself shouting at fictional characters, but I did desperately want these star crossed lovers to get together, and also for the woman, Clarissa to Just Say No to her overprotective Mama! However, that is a 21st century judgement...
Yes, this is at heart a love story set in the Edwardian era, but it is also a vivid description of the life and rhythms of a large country estate, and a moving account of the horrors and the waste of lives that war brings, and how it continues to affects the survivors.
I listened in format 4 on my ancient iPod nano, and found the narration faultless. The pace never dragged, and listening to this story took me miles and miles away from the no. 93 bus route in the rain to an altogether sunnier and more privileged place and time.

A good old fashioned enjoyable listen.

I don't have much patience waiting for an audio book to get better, so I am very happy to say that I found this audio book very easy to listen to right from the start.
The narration, the characters, and the storyline were really good too .
A story of true love and circumstances,
it has you wondering if two people who are clearly made for each other will ever get together .
I listened to this story with ease and it kept me listening to it right till the very end. It has lovely descriptions and I found myself wanting to listen to it to find out what happened next.
A tale of true love and those old fashioned class rules that create the type of sadness which pulls on the heartstrings and makes a person sigh.

Excellent summer read!

A beautifully written story. This is my first read of this kind of genre and I couldn't put the book down! the writer makes this period of time come alive.

My Favourite Story on Audible So Far !

What made the experience of listening to The Last Summer the most enjoyable?

The wonderful enthralling love story line kept me glued to the very end.

What other book might you compare The Last Summer to, and why?

Not sure, just could not put this book down. I needed to go one more chapter until the end.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The whole book was so well written.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Found it emotional in different ways.

Any additional comments?

The book was so well written and very descriptive. I could see all the book in pictures in my mind as I listened.The Narrator Jane Wymark was 1st class.I have just downloaded the latest book by Judith Kinghorn ..." The Memory of lost Senses"and hoping I enjoy it as much and that also there will be other books by this lady.

disapointed

I enjoy a good love story , but this one dragged on and on .... and really got on my nerves !!. A lot of the time nothing much going on, just moaning about how much she loved him bla bla bla
On Audible was advertized as being like Downton Abbey,(which I loved ) well it might have been set in the same era , but it was nowhere near as good otherwise. certainly did not live up to my expectations at all.

Easy listening

This book is a really easy listen. It just flows and yes the story is a bit obvious as to what the ending will be, but if your after something gentle and nice then this is that type of book.

A war time love story

I have been totally captivated by this story since the moment it started. The reader's voice melodic, enchanting characters and set during world war 1, this audio book is by far the best audible experience I've had so far. Thank you audible.

Hard

I could not get into this. Very slow and annoying music to go with it. I've tried a few times when on a dull train ride to get back into it but I think I would rather put pins in my eyes. Sorry, just could not get into it.