The Proposition

De: Judith Ivory

Narrado por: Steven Crossley

Set amidst the glitz and glamour of high society Victorian London, The Proposition is an opulent tale of blossoming love.

Lady Edwina Bollash is a woman of importance and distinction who has never been the object of any man's affection. However, when she meets Mick Tremore, a tall, handsome young man from the bottommost rung of society, she instantly attracts his attention. As Mick wants desperately to become a gentleman, Edwina decides to transform him into a man with class. From the start, she notices the way he looks at her. But what she doesn't yet realize is that as much as she is preparing him, he is preparing her for a place in his heart--and in his bed. Narrator Steven Crossley elevates the mounting passion of Ivory's prose, building tension with every breath and every sensuous word.

©1999 Judith Ivory, Inc. (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Ann

I have over 60 audio books, and this is one of my favorites. The narration was fantastic!

Astounding performance

I have never heard anyone, even in movies, carry such an incredible and convincing job as Steven Crossley. I can not even explain how he carried the accent from thick to slightly lighter and then a little better and so on until the perfection with still the same inflictions as someone who learned the words that way. Judith Ivory also did an amazing job with her clever storyline and funny moments that had me laughing out loud. All around a very good story that came up to the level of perfection by narration.

Loved this Book

A woman takes a man in a lower class and teaches him how to be a classy gentleman. But she falls in love with him and he fell in love with her pretty much at first sight. Don't want to give it away, but as it turns out he comes from a very classy family. I highly recommend.

I fell in love with a rat catcher!

I listened to this wonderful audiobook last year and neglected to write a review. Let me just say that the team of author Judith Ivory and narrator Steven Crossley made me fall in love with a rat catcher.

I have a weakness for lower-class blokes who are smart and savvy enough to work their way into the upper-class world. Derek Craven in Dreaming of You, “Charming” Mickey O’Connor in Scandalous Desires, and Nick Gentry in Worth Any Price are now joined by Michael "Mick" Tremane, the Cornish/Cockney rat catcher who is the hero of this Pygmalion-inspired story.

The devastatingly handsome Mick is so clever, sweet, and charming that you can understand why the genteel but rather impoverished heroine falls for him. In fact, if you're like me, you wonder why she doesn't do it sooner. But she is not a woman given to living her dreams. Indeed, she hardly has any dreams. She's too intelligent and too independent to believe that any man can desire her, given that she's twenty-nine, too tall, and wears spectacles.

There's not a lot of action in this book. It's mostly Winnie teaching Mick to speak and act like a gentleman, and him gradually wearing down her formidable defenses.

How can the grand-daughter of a duke find happiness with a rat catcher? The ending is a bit contrived, as well as rushed, but this is Romancelandia after all.

Steven Crossley does an excellent narration, wonderfully voicing Mick's transition from rat catcher to gentleman.

Smashing!

What a combination! Wonderful writing and delightful narration!
My first Judith Ivory novel, but not my last.

Enchanting!

This is a perfect gem of a novel.

I admit that I bought this book on Kindle first because I wasn't sure I'd like the reader, but after reading the reviews, I purchased it. I'm so glad I did. Steven Crossley is amazing, and his voices for both Mick and Win were both fantastic. I ended up enjoying this listen so much more than I thought I would (and I got a great discount on the price!), I'll be looking for more books read by him.

The main characters, and the story, are pygmalion-esque (think "My Fair Lady" only with a man). She's prim and proper while teaches him to speak like a lord, he teaches her how to live, and they fall in love. The ending is predictable, but you won't mind it because the story is lovely, well written, and enchanting.

I highly recommend it. I know I'll relisten over and over again.

One of the best!

This is the only audiobook I've listened to twice. In a row. Just to savour the story, the narration and the characters. Mick is such a lovable character, beautifully portrayed - a down-to-earth man who cannot resist drawing out the beauty hidden inside Winnie, while she works her magic on him, transforming his external self to match his interior gentle, personable self. Her innocence is portrayed sensitively and VERY believably. I like it that she is not the perfect figure of a woman and I also like Mick's preoccupation with her legs - bordering on fetish but soooo sensually described. Quite amazing how those legs tie up the whole story. Listening to this book was a sumptuous pleasure. Steven Crossley's narration is absolutely outstanding. I'm not much of a one for male narrators (Richard Armitage excepted) but Mr Crossley's performance of this book is consummate. I daresay I will listen to it again... it's like a really tasty dish, you want to have it over and over!

my favorite book

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

I read 2-3 books per week so naming The Proposition as my favorite is meaningful.
I first listened to Judith Ivory's book several years ago. It was one of the most delightful, tender, laugh out loud funny books I've ever had the privilege of hearing.Steven Crossley's narration could not have been improved upon. I still smile remembering. Thank you Judith Ivory and Steven Crossly for such a treasure!

My Fair Rat Catcher

Saved this Audible version of my favorite Ivory tale to take on a plane ride. Steven Crossley did a fine job of bringing the characters to life. Mick and Winnie have so much self discovery. The essence of romance is developing characters who make each other better. Ivory’s retelling of the Pygmalion story is a delight.

Very enjoyable

The Proposition was a very enjoyable "listen". The story was well written, entertaining, and fun. I loved the narrator. He was able to transition between the various English dialects so smoothly...it was a delight to listen to him. Ms. Ivory really knows how to create sexual tension without being overly crass. This book is definitely worth the credit!