Brilliant and one learns so much.

I used to live in the New Forest and thought I knew it well but I learnt so much from this book for which I am so grateful.

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the tale sucks you in

loved this novel. the story is built on family and pulls you along as you follow their journey through the years

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Reminiscent of Pillars of the Earth...

Glad I discovered The Forest. I love Pillars of the Earth and this is very reminiscent of the sweeping journey through time that I loved so much about Pillars

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Really enjoyable

A gentle and fascinating stroll through a thousand years. A time brought to life by families’ joys and struggles living in the forest.

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A master class!

Really and truly a fantastic book packed with wonderful characters and stories, fitted so well around history. The writing flows brilliant from one point in time to another withe exceptional narration. I didn't want it to end!

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Really brought it to life

Although long, this is well worth sticking with. The story is a satisfying one (as with Ruthurford's other work), and the narration is done in a subtly humourous way that endears you to the characters. The womens' voices can be a little camp (sometimes a bit pythonesque, even), but really only the ones who are meant to be a bit charmingly ridiculous.

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Another great listed

I love the long and winding way the author reaches his conclusion, I love the history and the interconnection of the characters

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Pleasant enough listen and packed with information

At first I thought this wasn’t going to be for me as it often veered a little bit too close to the genre of romance for my taste, but I was hooked in by the historical information, which had obviously been thoroughly researched, and which was fascinating. Even the 18C Jane Austen knock-off section was redeemed by some very interesting stuff about smugglers. I learned a lot, and shall certainly head for one of his other books at some point when I’m in the mood for something similar.

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Utterly compelling - Outstanding!

This was my first, and certainly not my last, Edward Rutherford book.
I was completely captivated by the book from start to finish. The author weaves such a compelling narrative, we learn much about the ordinary lives of gentry, commoners and so much about the wildlife and trees of the forest. Not only, set against the backdrop of the events at the time, I have new depths of empathy and understanding of various landmark times in our history.
As soon as it finished, I went straight back to the beginning and have just completed my second listen, which I loved just as much. I really recommend this as there were many nuances I missed first time.
There may be a few advantages in reading the print version where I could have flicked back to check dates and relationships, but any of these niggles where worth it to have Roger Davis' impeccable narration. How he managed such consistency with the subtle voice changes for each character for such a long book is utterly mind-boggling.
This book has given me so much to think about, how our social and cultural values shift over time and what elements of far gone norms still reside in our current systems and beliefs. Also interesting, although fictional, to observe concepts of inherited trauma and ancestral lines in the families.
Anyone who enjoys a solid family saga/ historical fiction/ Time Team/ nature will enjoy this epic masterpiece.
I'm about to start Sarum and can't wait!

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Interesting

The history of England brought alive through peoples’ lives. Fascinating, I’d like to go and visit the area now!

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