A special mention for Steven Pacey

Impossible not to get attached to the protagonist, Lev, who leaves his hometown, young daughter and mother in his East European village where no work is to be found since the local mill has closed down to make his way to London and hopes for prosperity of some form. He finds work in the restaurant business and having made a new friend and a new lover in this big city, dreams up ways to save his loved ones back home. I was worried I wouldn't fall in love with Tremain's contemporary novels the way I've passionately loved her historical fiction (most especially Restoration and Merivel), but needn't have worried: she is a master of prose and has such a deep and special understanding of humanity and its many frailties, that whatever time period she chooses to write about ends up making for timeless stories somehow. 4.75 stars. I would have given it the full 5, only I do strongly favour historical fiction for taking me outside our current world.

Should give a special mention to Steven Pacey, who narrates the audio version. His reading was beautifully modulated and he successfully rendered a range of accents and gave each character a marked and fitting personality. Really wonderful when voice narration adds so much to the reading experience.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

terrific depth of character

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

you won't want to turn it off - you can "picture" each character and event

What did you like best about this story?

all round good read

Which character – as performed by Steven Pacey – was your favorite?

Lev

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

you bet

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!