Disappointed.

After listening to the wonderful Company of Liars and the Vanishing Witch I looked forward to the Gallows Curse so much.
I enjoyed the storyline, set in the 1200s, when nobility had it all and serfs were downtrodden peasants whose very lives belonged to their lords. Accusations, horrible dreams, superstitions, witchcraft, mandrakes, murder most foul, evil villains and weird yet good hearted folk abound. The story held much promise.
The story, for me, was ok but David Thorpe, one of my favourite narrators, let me down with his voice of Rafael. I ignored other reviews on his performance thinking I would get used to his castrato type voice but I didn't and his voice for Ma was strange too. She sounded like the Australian matriarchs Henry Bower uses in his narration for the Bryce Courtenay books - all very muddling. The plot seemed less important because I was deep in thought over the voices. Not the best narration but I'll revisit Company of Liars for David Thorpe's wonderful melifluous Northumbrian accent and all will be forgiven but it will be a couple of years before I listen to Gallows again.
Come on Karen, give me another character from Northumberland so D.T. can wow me again.

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This the second audio book I've listened to by Karen Maitland and it will be the last.

With both of Karen Maitland's books that I have listened to, her endings are so infuriating. Now wishing I hadn't spent so many hours listening to what is otherwise an excellent story. Groan. Perhaps she simply enjoys winding up her readers. Not a good idea because she's just lost one.

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Good but not as good as Company of Liars

I enjoy Karen Maitland books - she tells a gripping yarn. However this did not engage me as much as Company of Liars or Owlkillers. Still her historical knowledge of the period always impresses me and you can picture and smell it all!

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Gripping story but the narration let it down

This was a tough one. Fascinating story with fascinating characters and a good deal of suspense, but the narrator chose an annoying accent for the narration and I just couldn't listen anymore. I made it to chapter 4 and wanted throw the kindle across the room. Very frustrating and disappointing. I still want to know what happens though so I think I'll just get the book and read it instead of listening to it.

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Gripping dark and awesome

Loved it from start to end. The characters were easily distinguishable each spoken word painted the backdrop on which the characters performed.

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Very enjoyable

Both the story and the narrator was very good. I really enjoyed both very much.

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Superb

After listening the Company of Liars three times, I knew this book would give all sorts of twists, turns and intrigue to keep me glued to my audio devices. I was not disappointed.
The only thing that grated was the voice of Rafael which , to me, was not believable for a man with a girls voice. A minor quibble which did not put me off enough to not want to leave the book un-listened to. I have already downloaded her other books and will I look forward too and listen too with relish.
A superb book from a brilliant author.

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6 people found this helpful

Hard start

A hard start but stay with it, the book becomes a great story and a really interesting insight to living in the middle ages!

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1 person found this helpful

hey listener, there are better ones

this is my 5th book by Maitland. And it's not the best one. but it's not bad by any stretch and there are some great characters in it. There was just something lacking in this one compared to her earlier books. The reader is decent, but the reader of the older ones was world class. all in all - it's worth a credit if you are a fan and won't stop me continuing to listen to her books because they are all good.

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The Gallows Curse

Why do I have to put words? It is most tedious, a rating is enough.

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