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Alvesdon

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Alvesdon

By: James Holland
Narrated by: Rachel Holland
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The village of Alvesdon has been home to the Castells for generations. But the year is 1939 and the peace and tranquillity there is about to be shattered once more by the stormclouds of war in Europe. As three generations of the family gather, they must all face the prospect of their lives being transformed beyond recognition the moment Britain declares war on Germany.

When the inevitable happens and Britain finds itself at war, the younger members of the family and farm workers are called up to fight and those who remain must battle to keep the home fires burning and the farm afloat. The gentle certainties of rural life are replaced by the urgent clamour of war, in the air, at sea and on land, where events unfold with dizzying rapidity and unexpected consequences.

Stretching from the glorious summer of 1939 to the Battle of Britain the following year, acclaimed historian James Holland paints a compelling and immersive fictional portrait of how the war changed everything. For one family and for a community, their way of life can never really be the same again…

©2024 James Holland (P)2024 Penguin Audio 20th Century Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction War Village

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All stars
Most relevant  
Had to return the book about 25 mins in as I couldn’t deal with the narrator. Her voice grates, really annoying. Shame as I love James Holland books. I’ll buy a print version of this instead.

Poor narration

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I was unsure if I would like this book at is not my usual book I would listen to. But I really enjoyed it, gripping story and character. Very well performed, I hope this is a start of a series?.

A interesting take on a war time story

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The occasionally overly prescient characters, narration that fluctuates between being exactly right and sadly less so, fairly predictable story lines, in the end did not get in the way of a thoroughly enjoyable time…

Exactly as expected, but that is a good thing…

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Some good descriptions of the time, although the story is not that original. Be interested to hear when the next book is due out.

To be continued?

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It probably helps if you aren’t a fan of JH’s history books or his podcast with Al Murray, because at times the novel feels like an exposition of his core hypotheses. His background in writing romance novels also comes through as this is a remarkably conflict-free story despite the setting. All that said it’s still a gently absorbing story, and although Mrs Holland’s narration trips up at times she has a switching voice that suits the subject matter.

The Holland manifesto in novel form

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Wonderfully authentic family story set against the onset of WW2. Loved it. Beautifully read by Rachel Holland. PLEASE let there be a sequel!!!

Superb

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I really enjoyed this novel. Very well written and narrated. A gentle tale about a Wiltshire farming family at the beginning of the Second World War. Would definitely recommend this.

A gentle tale

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Not up to his usually high standards the story line although interesting is sickly and happy ever after.
We all know it wasn’t like that.

Disappointing

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I switched to reading from listening half way through as the very dreamy, lilting style of narration just sent me to sleep and felt wrong for the book. Essentially a well-crafted wartime family saga - enjoyable and fairly unchallenging.

Good story, poor narration

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Very well placed in the landscape. Story lines predictable but enjoyable. Sadly the narration was lacking in variation of tone and accents were very poor.

WWII family drama

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