The duke and the Quaker nurse - without cliches.

Would you listen to Flowers from the Storm again? Why?

Fully-realised characters who engage your interest and sympathy whilst still being true to their own time.

What other book might you compare Flowers from the Storm to, and why?

Although the events and setting of the story are very different, this book reminded me in some ways of "Jane Eyre" - a charismatic and powerful man, used to arranging the world as he wants, meets an unsophisticated woman who seems timid and easily-influenced but is more than his equal in strength of character. The fluctuations of the balance of power between the two protagonists are sometimes at the forefront and sometimes overtaken by the flow of events as the rakish Duke of Jervaulx suffers a stroke and loses control over his life and property.The writing is polished and unrushed, allowing the listener full insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings.
Although this is a "historical romance", I think the only cliché of the genre you will find in this book is the opening scene, which contains an explicit description of the duke and his mistress in bed. Although the level of explicit description is repeated later, the sensuality of the later romantic scenes reflects the slow development of love and trust between Christian and Maddy despite their profound differences.

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

If I'd read this book I'd have skimmed it to get to the key events, since I find it hard to stick with a lot of narrative and internal dialogue, but Nicholas Boulton's performance kept me interested. His consistent and skilful delivery is never boring and in the emotional scenes reaches a riveting intensity which is exactly right for this dramatic story.

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5 people found this helpful

10* OMG brilliant

So moving and thorough, a lesser author would have made this 4 books in the current trend of writing a 'series'.
Great narration portrayed the post stroke state fantastically.
this is a contender for one of my best books.

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Loved this book

Love the narrator and the story. One of my favourites.

One of her best books. Loved Maddy and the Duke.

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Brilliant

This book was absolutely brilliant. The best of Laura Kinsale so far and I've listened to a few. I found a few of them quite boring that could have been 5 hours shorter. But this was fantastic from beginning to end I couldn't stop listening. I couldn't wait to get back to it each time I had to stop.
I also liked Prince Of Midnight very much but this was even better. Although I must say that LK's heroines are not very likeable till the very end. But Maddie was OK, but about an hour before the end she was as annoying as all the other heroines in LK's books.
Nicholas Boulton was absolutely brilliant as always, especially in this book. He was fantastic.

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enjoyable

loved the story and really well read. great value for money as is such a long book!

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Possibly my no. 1 audiobook!!!!

From beginning to end, it's such a good story. I have all of Laura Kinsale's audiobook. She is my favourite author and as for Nicholas Bolton... Well a truly talented narrator! He makes the book come to life in a way no other narrator can!

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A wonderful book made as Theatre!

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

I would indeed recommend this book to a friend, or anyone else who loves a great book; I love Laura Kinsale's writing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers from the Storm?

There are too many memorable moments to mention.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Boulton’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have heard Nicholas Boulton and I think he must be the best Narrator ever!! He is able to slip into the character of each person seamlessly so you are able to picture the scenario before you as if you are watching a play.

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

In listening to this book, I experienced every emotion under the sun; from the first sentence to the last I ran the whole gamut and I felt more alive than before. this book pulled me apart, made me cry and laugh, too. Then, put me back together again at the end. Thank goodness I can listen again and again.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Laura Kinsale for choosing the best voice ever for your wonderful books; I will buy all of them as and when they are available.

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1 person found this helpful

A favourite book now made even BETTER

Flowers from the Storm is a long-time favourite romance of mine. It's heartfelt and deeply romantic while not being an easy read, but is filled with beautiful prose and imagery. The hero, Christian, Duke of Jervalux begins the book as your typical alpha-male; a wealthy man-about-town who can (and does) have any woman he wants. He's also a mathematical genius - and it's this quality which brings him into contact with Archimedia (Maddy) Timms, the daughter of another mathematician with whom Christian has collaborated on a specific theorem.

When Christian (who is only 32) suddenly suffers what we would today recognise as a stroke, he is left unable to speak or understand and unable to perform simple, every-day actions; and his family, believing him to be an imbecile, commits him to an asylum.

The asylum is run by Maddy's uncle, Edward Timms, and is run according to the rules and principles of care laid out by the Society of Friends (Quakers) - and it is there that Maddy sees Christian again, afflicted and almost unrecognisable. She believes she has been given an "Opening" by God - and that to care for him is her duty.

It's a long and complex story. Christian is helpless for much of it and needs Maddy desperately. At the beginning his need is very selfish, as she is the one person who is able to understand him and ease his frustrations about how very dependent he has become. But his need gradually changes into something else, even as she is coming to love him against all her principles and better judgement.

His struggles are often agonising, his violent outbursts heart-breaking - as the reader is able to see what prompts them and feel for this once proud man and what he has been reduced to. Maddy can come across as rather too "preachy", especially in the later part of the book when Christian has to fight for his rights to his name and property against the family who want to put him back in the asylum so they can get their hands on his money. I can understand her to a point - she has been brought up to the Quaker way of life and it is so ingrained in her, so very much a part of her life that she really struggles to come to terms with the way she feels about Christian, and - more importantly - the way he makes HER feel. But it's still hard to like her when she deserts him when he needs her the most, even though she's just suffered a miscarriage (probably) and is finding it hard to cope with all the changes in her life.

For all its difficulty however, Flowers from the Storm is a superbly written and characterised love story. In audio, though, it's even BETTER. Nicholas Boulton is, quite simply, one of the best narrators - and to call him a "narrator" doesn't begin to do him justice - it has been my privilege to hear. Every character - even the most minor - has a distinct voice that fits them perfectly. He is just as convincing as the female characters as he is as the male ones; he has a way of softening his tone and raising the pitch of his voice slightly for Maddy which is just right and his characterisation of Christian's interfering Aunt Vesta is superb. His performance softens Maddy's harsher traits and, especially towards the end, makes it easier for the listener to understand what prompts her to do what she does (even if we still can't like it!)

But his performance as Christian is a real tour-de-force. Having to voice a character who has problems speaking must have been quite a challenge - yet it's perfect, from the often explosive way he blurts out his words, to his struggles to find the right word in the streams of them that run through his head. I felt his frustrations and his triumphs as he begins to reassert himself and regain his self-confidence and respect, and his desolation at losing Maddy. Hearing him find "the whole man" again was really moving, and I don't mind admitting to having a few lumps in my throat here and there.

In short, then - this is an outstanding performance of a deservedly well-loved favourite. Using your next credit - or even your hard-earned cash - would be to put either to very good use indeed.

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8 people found this helpful

One of the best love stories I’ve ever listened to

This story isn’t for the faint hearted, it is sad, moving and a beautiful love story all in one. The narration was so good and really brought the story to life. I know I will listen to this again and keep it as a favourite. It has been a long time since a novel has moved me so but this definitely did.

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Wonderfull I could not put it down

I shall read it again it a story ou laught cry keeps you on edge of your seat, I’m nearly all the books. Hope she writes more Brenda 

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