I'd give it 10 stars if I could

Where does Hild rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably the best.

What other book might you compare Hild to and why?

It's been described as "Game of Thrones without the dragons" and that's fairly accurate. But the writing is just beautiful, and the women are richly realized.

What does Pearl Hewitt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's got a gorgeous voice, and does a great job with choosing various contemporary UK or Ireland accents for the characters. I particularly enjoyed her performance of the narrator's ditzy friend Begu. She also reads like she admires and enjoys the prose, which is indeed worthy of it.

Any additional comments?

There's no supernatural elements in this book, just people who believe in the supernatural (Christ included), so if you're expecting a fantasy book, bear that in mind. Also, there's a lot of dynastic politics and geopolitical maneuvering, which can sometimes be hard to follow in audio format as one tries to keep track of names and places. Griffith's website has lots of resources, including maps and a family tree. The book felt real and vivid, totally immersing me in its world. What a place to visit!

19 people found this helpful

Get the Kindle version too.

This factionalized biography of a 7th century Anglo-Saxon girl who eventually became one of the most powerful and influential women in early Christian England, Hilda of Whitby, is difficult reading without the map, glossary and pronunciation guide in the Kindle version. Together, the book was wonderful. The author captures the natural world as well as the customs and material culture of that remote time. Highly recommended and worth the time.

6 people found this helpful

Incredible historical saga.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would, although it is no light read. Loving history, I found this epic tale of the woman who is otherwise known as St Hilda of Whitby, extremely interesting. and am full of admiration both for the author’s attention to detail and the narrator Pearl Hewitt.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely Hild, what a character!

What about Pearl Hewitt’s performance did you like?

I and am full of admiration both for the author’s attention to detail and Pearl Hewitt’s ability to pronounce the names and narrate such an incredible story.Pearl Hewitt brings Hild, and the other Nicola Griffith’s characters to life, the listener is able to become totally absorbed into life in the Dark Ages.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing saga which is set in seventh century Britain, at a time when the country consisted of small kingdoms, there was religious unrest and battles raged all the time. The sheer attention to detail of this novel, makes it an amazing story.

6 people found this helpful

Not the Best Audio Book

If you could sum up Hild in three words, what would they be?

Excellent historical novel.

What did you like best about this story?

Insight into how a "see-er" unraveled the patterns of the times.

Any additional comments?

Because of all the unfamiliar names, places and terminology, Hild was not the best candidate for an audio book. I wanted to see a reference map for 7th century Great Britain so I could understand where the various kingdoms were. I needed a glossary for all the unusual terms, and a genealogy chart would have been helpful, too. I wanted to page back to look at names, and couldn't do it. The story was lovely, engaging, well written and well read - but I think I would have enjoyed an e-book or hard cover edition of Hild much more than an audio rendition.

19 people found this helpful

Brings WHAT to life?

I spent much of my working life teaching Anglo-Saxon literature and history, and I was really looking forward to this novel. However, as many have mentioned, there's too much detail that hampers the story line. Even with my background, I had difficulty following, and I know those details that are factual--but many are fictional. Of course, we have little concrete data from the period, so much would need to be invented. Better editorial counsel might have helped the author select those details that were essential to the story line so that the plethora of trivia could be dispensed with. I can't imagine how (or why) a reader unfamiliar with the period would slog through all of this. Perhaps the novel is easier going if it is read rather than heard, but I doubt I would ante up for it, even at Kindle rates. Perhaps on Kindle Unlimited.

3 people found this helpful

VERY hard to understand Pearl Hewitt

I want to like this book, I am ready to like it--in fact, I'm sure I still will--I just need to get a physical copy and read it. I don't think it works for Audible.

I have tried to listen to this book 3 or 4 times and haven't been able to get into it, simply because I can't understand half of what the performer reading the book is saying. The pronunciations are already complicated, and then you add to that she is doing (5 or 6) accents combined with a million characters coming and going, and I just found the whole thing darn near incomprehensible.

3 people found this helpful

Quite possibly the most boring book ever

Endless lists of towns and names with small crumbs of interactions.... I simply couldn’t take it any more and quit 3/4 into the book. Life is too short and millions of books to choose from.

3 people found this helpful

Too many characters for this listening option

I think the story may be an interesting one but with so many characters, it was just too hard to keep track of everyone.

3 people found this helpful

Beautifully rendered biography of an Anglo Saxon princess

This book is a very ornate and intimate exploration of the daily live of an Anglo Saxon princess. It is very well researched and is full of finely rendered details. It contains lots of intrigue from a female perspective. The main character, Hild is complex and surprising, often straddling the worlds of men and women of their time, and fighting for autonomy in the age of burgeoning Christianity.
While there is excitement: harrowing battles, titilating romance; the story is not what I would call a thrilling adventure. This book is more of a slow burn. I have to admit that I got lost in all of the names of individuals, cities, kingdoms, and peoples, which are listed frequently. Also, if you aren't paying attention, you can easily miss the passage of time or the transition between scenes.
Over all, the book is like getting lost in a finely woven tapestry. Beautiful, rich with detail, episodic, but maybe a little monotonous. Pearl Hewitt's performance is masterfully done with distinct characters, and her voice is so charming that you always want to hear more.

3 people found this helpful

Excellent book in all formats!

Where does Hild rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high!

What did you like best about this story?

The details were fascinating, and as dense as it was at times, every detail furthered the story.

Which character – as performed by Pearl Hewitt – was your favorite?

Hild

2 people found this helpful