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Lady of Hay

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Lady of Hay

By: Barbara Erskine
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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About this listen

A story spanning centuries. A long awaited revenge.

In London, journalist Jo Clifford plans to debunk the belief in past-lives in a hard-hitting magazine piece. But her scepticism is shaken when a hypnotist forces her to relive the experiences of Matilda, Lady of Hay, a noblewoman during the reign of King John.

She learns of Matilda's unhappy marriage, her love for the handsome Richard de Clare, and the brutal death threats handed out by King John, before it becomes clear that Jo’s past and present are inevitably entwined. She realises that eight hundred years on, Matilda’s story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to repeat itself…

Barbara Erskine’s iconic debut novel still delights generations of readers thirty years after its first publication.

©2021 Barbara Erskine (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Historical Historical Fiction Romance Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Fiction Royalty King

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Critic reviews

‘The author's storytelling talent is undeniable. Barbara Erskine can make us feel the cold, smell the filth and experience some of the fear of the power of evil men.' The Times

'Unusual, intriguing, cleverly handled and gripping.' The Good Book Guide

'Fascinating, absorbing, original – all such praise comes easily when describing Barbara Erskine's Lady of Hay. But perhaps the most suitable world is hypnotic.' SHE

'Convincing and extremely colourful.' The Mail
All stars
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I read this book 15 years ago (ish) and I had to read it again.

It is a scary ghost story with some challenging topics. Well written and fascinating historical references.

The sound was very quiet, even with my phone and speaker volumes at max it was a challenge to hear the narrator in my works van.

I really enjoyed the fact it was written based in the 1970s and the lack of mobile and computer technology were refreshing.

I am old enough to remember home phones and typewriters and to have a story where a character is not instantly contactable added to the suspense and the realism for me.

I would definately recommend this book. Just do not be in as noisy an environment as I have to suffer.

Quiet sound excellent story

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I read this book many years ago and loved it, thought I try Audible . The narration was absolutely terrible, overacting and weird pronunciation, it spoilt it for me. Don’t the authors check on the narration. Wasted one credit on this .

Wonderful story

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Not my type of book. Far too long and too rambling. The review is to remind me.

Not the type of book I enjoy

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I've loved this book since it first came out. Over the years I have had various paperback copies of it due to lending it to friends and they ask to keep it. I love the modern day mixed with history. I recently discovered the Matilda and her husband did stay where my old school was. Anyway, I signed up for Audible because I saw the book was on it. Settling down to listen to it I was stunned within the first few minutes. The narrator was absolutely dreadful. She sounded drunk; mumbling and slurring when she read the male parts. I'm so disappointed in it. I'd willingly rerecord it in a heartbeat. I would recommend folk buy the book and avoid the audible version as the narrator ruins the story, puts you off it. Shame.

Brilliant story, shame about the narrator

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read this book years ago and loved it, so I thought I would listen to it again as an audio book. I am only about quarter of the way through and have so many times wanted to give up due to the narration. it's only because I remember it being such a good book that I have continued. General narration is ok-ish but when it comes to characters, particularly men, they all seem to have a very weird sing-song sometimes shrill style that is most odd and very annoying. I have never heard such strange narration in all the years I have listened to audiobooks. I hope I can persevere to the end!

Great classic Barbara Erskine, ruined by narration style

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I’ve read and enjoyed the book several times, but found this Audible version so difficult to listen to. The rhythm of the narration doesn’t reflect the sense of the words, so much so that I’ve given up and returned the audiobook for a refund. I’ll stick with the printed version in future.

Audible version is so disappointing

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This book was recommended to me by a friend and I must say it did not disappoint.

I just love the history of it all, the characters, the romance. The way Barbara describes the scenes makes you feel you’re almost there - just observing from a distance.

Highly recommend!!

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it was fantastic escapism and because of it I fell in love whith Wales I went to see the butiful scenery described in the lady of hay and not disappointed thank you I firs read the book in the late 80s and lisend now well

all of it

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This book was absolutely amazing!Im gutted its finished,love the historical element,fascinating and clever storyline mixing fact with fiction ,i couldnt stop listening.I have listened to other of the authors publications but this was by far the best.Im definitely going to buy another as my next listen.Highly recommend!

Highly recommend

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A great book ruined by an awful narrator. The long breathy sentences. Rushing from character to character with weird accents. Normal sentences being read as tho it was sarcasm. Inflections where there are none. I’ve persevered but this is the worst audio book I’ve listened to, I can’t get to the end. Please find another narrator and rerelease.

I’ll stick to the paperback until then

How do I get my money back?

So frustrated - awful narrator

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