Story telling at its best!

The writing of this book was almost spare but at the same time so lushly full it boggled the mind. Words are carefully chosen to precisely get the image across so that the reader understands the places and characters deeply without being told everything in endless detail. At times I would have loved to have a picture of Wildflower Hill Farm written out in wordy excess and exactness. Then I found that I could imagine the place for myself based on the bits and pieces the author revealed. In the end that was better. The story's main focus was about people -- their interactions, flaws, treatment of others. It amazed me how Freeman, using just the right word when describing a person cut right to the heart of the matter.

Part mystery, part love story, part historical fiction spanning four generations but focused on the choices of one woman, the book was totally engaging. The sense of place was strong. The narration was excellent. Caroline Lee's voice pulled me along through the ups and downs of the book and held me hanging on every word. By the end I was sure that there had been a mistake. It couldn't be over yet! I didn't want the story to end--a sure sign that it was an excellent listen. Definitely a book I loved and can recommend whole heartedly.

64 people found this helpful

Engaging story with great historical points

I bought this on a 4.95 sale, and it was a very good choice. I was getting bogged down in "Bleak House" by Dickens, and this really kept me in the story. I was concerned about the reviewer who likened this to a romance novel, and it did have that element in the final third or fourth of the story. Another reviewer commented on the abrupt ending, and I have to agree. It had something of a feel of the author feeling she had done a great multigenerational story, and that was enough - let the readers make up the conclusion.

This was indeed a great multigenerational story, lots of compelling history about discriminiation against women and aboriginals and the displacements of the second world war. The card game was a great part of it - the most that can be said without a spoiler.

In addition to the conclusion, there were other abrupt points in the narrative, to me, so I would give the story 3.5 stars on those merits except, no question, it was an interesting story and i wanted to listen to it, so it comes up to four. In my magic scoring scheme, a 5 shows up once for every ten 4's, fwiw.

The narrator was excellent. I cannot make judgments on Scottish versus Aussie versus Tasmanian accents, and understand one reviewer felt the Scottish was overdone. But to this midwest US guy, it was all good.

18 people found this helpful

Absolutely Enchanted!

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

This is easily one of the top 3 audiobooks I've listed to this year!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wildflower Hill?

I was utterly absorbed in this story from start to finish. The writing is lovely, the characterization is rich, the pacing is perfect, the narrative switches between Beattie in the past and Emma in the present in all the right places. I think when Beattie gets what she desearves (and more) after the card game is one of the most memorable moments in the story. It was one of the most satisfying, fitting, and perfect endings I've listened to in a long time. I loved this story!

Which scene was your favorite?

The switching from present to past and back again made it impossible to choose just one favorite scene!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Honestly I don't think I could make one up that can match what a great film this book would make!

15 people found this helpful

Engaging, believable

Bought this on a sale witho9ut knowing anything about it. The high quality I expect from Bolinda audiobooks did not disappoint. Interesting, clear, and authentic story.This author is new to me but I will buy her other book based on the enjoyment I had with this story. The narrator was excellent. I highly recommend

22 people found this helpful

Couldn't Wait to Drive to Work So I Could Listen!

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

I have recommended this book to my book club because of the writing. The story involved strong resourceful women at different times in history. The connection between women and families across generations was compelling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I just loved Bettie and Charlie. They were both such strong characters and I loved their conviction to what was right so ahead of their time.

Which character – as performed by the narrator – was your favorite?

Bettie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh Yes!! I wanted to drive around and around in my car and travel back to 1935.

11 people found this helpful

Loved everything about this story

After a long string of dull, annoying audio books, this one was a breath of fresh air. The characters, the settings, the plot made 16 hours and 28 minutes go by way too fast; I was glued to my earbuds night and day. Wonderful story, beautifully written and narrated. I'll be looking for more from the author and narrator.

2 people found this helpful

A place for Life to Flow

What did you love best about Wildflower Hill?

I loved the way the story wove from present to future and back and forth each building on each other

Who was your favorite character and why?

Beattie was my favorite character, she was a normal person, love rules with her no matter who others were, they were not judged by thier skin color but by the inside beauty of those she met. I also the courage of Beattie in the early 20th century in the way she "won"the wildflower hill among other parts of her character.

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

Caroline brought accents to life for the book. Each character had a different voice that I was able to imagine them in my head.

If you could take any character from Wildflower Hill out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Patrick is who I would take out, he seems like the kind of man that I could fall in love with myself.

5 people found this helpful

Loved it!

I loved the plot and the narrator is terrific. The author weaved believable characters into a beautiful story. I have long commutes to work and looked forward to the drive each day because that meant I could spend more time on Wildflower Hill. Well done.

8 people found this helpful

An Enjoyable Tale

What made the experience of listening to Wildflower Hill the most enjoyable?

Nice tale, well told. At first I thought it was going to be consistently depressing, but was glad to see the main character find happiness where she could along the way.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the multi-generational aspects and relationships between the women.

What about the narrator’s performance did you like?

Good job by the narrator on both male and female voices and injecting personality into the characters.

7 people found this helpful

I can’t get past 15 minutes of her books.

This is the third Freedman book I have tried. I can’t get past 15 minutes of her books. They open with people’s lives going into ruin. How depressing.

1 person found this helpful