The Camomile Lawn cover art

The Camomile Lawn

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The Camomile Lawn

By: Mary Wesley
Narrated by: Carole Boyd
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About this listen

Summer 1939 and five cousins gather at the house with the camomile lawn for what, for many of them, will be the last summer of their youth.

©1984 Mary Wesley (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Military

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Whilst this is certainly not a difficult book to listen to, its vivid characterisation reveals a lot about human nature in general and more specifically the impact on a personal level which WWII could have on individuals. The characters themselves are unforgettable - especially as interpreted by this narrator. This is partly because the listener is allowed to get to know them so well - and to watch the war and the passage of time transform them - and partly because they are as unlikable a bunch as you are likely to find populating a novel! It is a credit to Carole Boyd's performance (with its clear differentiation between the various characters) that I was so reluctant to let them go when she reached the end.

If you are new to the book, be aware that it involves multiple interlinked love affairs amongst the group of protagonists, so it may be best to avoid "The Camomile Lawn" if this will cause you offence. There are, however, no graphic sex scenes.

Reveals human nature - though not at its best

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What a wonderful book! Even though I knew the story it gripped me in its atmospheric rendition of a life that can never return. Beautifully read and captured the essence of the time for an affluent section of society.

Wonderful!

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Brings a long lost era in full view. The language and elegance of the English middle classes during those turbulent times is captured completely. Such a lovely reading of a special book. Loved it.

Fabulous

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Having read the book some 30 years ago, it was lovely to revisit the story. Odd bits were slightly uncomfortable, which did not jar first time and round. One of us has changed. Mary Wesley was a favourite author in my late teens and early twenties but I’m not sure how well her writing has lasted. And I did get a bit distracted by Linda Snell being the narrator.

It was and it wasn’t as I remembered

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A wonderful story even though all the main characters have very few redeeming features. Great narration from Carole Boyd.

Great Story - Well Read

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A perfect glimpse of a time of British life 80 years ago before, during and after WW2.

The camomile lawn.

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I love this book and first read it 25 years ago. The narration was perfect and will definitely keep in my library as it's one I want to listen to again and again

Wonderful

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What made the experience of listening to The Camomile Lawn the most enjoyable?

Carole Boyd

Who was your favorite character and why?

Helen, such a strong character

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

An excellent narrator

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A superb war time story

Any additional comments?

A book everyone should read, especially if war time adventures suit.

Salt of the earth

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Having already seen the film I enjoyed the book very much and highly recommend it for those who like different characters in different parts.

A story of many parts

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A beautifully read and absorbing story. We are drawn into the second world war by focusing through the eyes of an extended upper middle class British family. Some themes in the book maybe shocking in their handling by the author, to contemporary readers but remember the author is using contextualisation and also intends to shock. This is not a factual history but a fictional work of art. If you are horrified and shocked in some parts, you maybe sure this is what the author intended.

Absorbing story

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