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What Once Was True
- Narrated by: Caroline Lennon
- Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Robinswood, Co. Waterford, 1939.
The once grand house is home to two very different families. Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a large house and grounds ever dwindles.
Meanwhile, the Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella and their three almost grown-up girls, live and work on the estate and do their best to keep everything running smoothly.
Social structure is vital. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true.
From the leafy grounds of an Irish stately home to the bombed-out streets of London in the Blitz, Jean Grainger’s latest best-selling historical saga will sweep you away.
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What listeners say about What Once Was True
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- paula wright
- 09-16-20
I throughly enjoyed every minute of this book
I have never listened to any Jean Grainger books before. Can’t wait to listen to more. I appreciate no profanity and no gratuitous sex scene. . Didn’t need these fillers because she had a story to tell. I fell in live with these people in small town Ireland. Great character development.
Ms Grainger Will now check out `her other stories
24 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-01-19
A trip back in time to Ireland
I really enjoyed all the characters in this book starting with the Dermot
With his quiet stubborn nature, but loving heart. Also, loved the relationship with the mother and three daughters. You can feel the tension between the Irish and British conflicts from the past. I can’t wait to read the next in the series. I have read two other books from this author and she definitely reminds me of the beloved author Maeve Binchy.
12 people found this helpful
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- Sharon
- 05-03-21
Love it!
This was a wonderful book. The narrator has a gentle Irish lilt and is perfect for this story. The characters are delightful and you grow to love them. I can't wait to find out what happens to them. There is no "bodice ripping" which is great. It reminds me of the best of Catherine Cookson when I was a teenager. Just a good story about mostly good people. A book to sooth the soul.
8 people found this helpful
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- P Deiters
- 09-09-20
Fantastic Performance
The narrator was very good and really made the story come to life. I will admit I let out a few “oh no! So sad” a few times while listening. Overall a great story and very enjoyable to listen to.
6 people found this helpful
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- Patti Salmon
- 09-03-19
Love it
I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to Book 2. Good storyline, good narrative....accents were decent
5 people found this helpful
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- Bruce
- 10-12-19
Great crac
Fine work on all parts. The novel explains how human beings change but still keep what's important.
4 people found this helpful
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- Krista Lindstrom
- 06-13-21
Amazing Book
Jean Grainger books are so good. I only listen to them on my commute to and from work. Sometimes, I stay in the car a few extra minutes just to keep listening. I am a full time single mom and listening to these books are the perfect ME time. I am not Irish but these books can be loved by anyone of any origin.
3 people found this helpful
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- Laurie R. Stuckey
- 12-07-19
Heart warming
Love how this story brings to life the different parts of life with children. also I enjoy the historical portions discussing the feeling of the time.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jean Jones
- 06-20-21
What once was true
A very interesting story. So glad I listened to it. Another look at that time period and how it changed peoples lives
2 people found this helpful
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- Julie Anne Jones
- 02-01-21
Awesome Historical Fiction + 1st in a series!
I loved this book and was so happy to find out, 1/2 way through it that it's the first book in a 3-book series. I love series stories because it allows me to follow the same characters through so much.
This first book was really well written and the narrator was awesome. There were so many different types of accents required and she did a great job with all of them. Highly recommend this wonderful story.
2 people found this helpful
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- Isabella
- 01-05-21
enjoyable
Good voice, good story, but some parts I struggled to believe and asked my self why would anyone do that? I won't give away the plot by saying what.
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- S. Saunders
- 09-16-20
Enjoyable story
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and how the plot unfolded. Enjoyed the humour. Easy to listen to.
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- Nancy C.
- 08-09-19
Wonderful Story.
Beautifully written. The author really draws the listener into the lives of both families.
The narrator was inclined to end the sentences in an over emphasised tone which was a little "grating". However was really excellent dealing with the speech of all the characters, bringing them to life.
Looking forward to the continued story in book two.