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Blackberry and Wild Rose

A gripping and emotional read

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Blackberry and Wild Rose

By: Sonia Velton
Narrated by: Heather Long, Beth Eyre
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About this listen

For fans of Jessie Burton and Tracy Chevalier, a rich historical debut set among the Huguenot silk weavers of Spitalfields in the late 18th century.

WHEN ESTHER THOREL, the wife of a Huguenot silk-weaver, rescues Sara Kemp from a brothel she thinks she is doing God's will. Sara is not convinced being a maid is better than being a whore, but the chance to escape her grasping 'madam' is too good to refuse.

INSIDE THE THORELS' tall house in Spitalfields, where the strange cadence of the looms fills the attic, the two women forge an uneasy relationship. The physical intimacies of washing and dressing belie the reality: Sara despises her mistress's blindness to the hypocrisy of her household, while Esther is too wrapped up in her own secrets to see Sara as anything more than another charitable cause.

IT IS SILK that has Esther so distracted. For years she has painted her own designs, dreaming that one day her husband will weave them into reality. When he laughs at her ambition, she unwittingly sets in motion events that will change the fate of the whole Thorel household and set the scene for a devastating day of reckoning between her and Sara.

THE PRICE OF a piece of silk may prove more than either is able to pay.

©2019 Sonia Velton (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited Fiction Historical Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"Sumptuous and moving." (Laura Purcell, author of The Silent Companions)
All stars
Most relevant
A very well narrated story that kept me interested and amused. Very well drawn characters

Loved this book

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Literary gem: brilliant and simple. Could not stop listening. Well researched historical facts throughout life of people in opposite social classes. Hope this author will delight us with more of her excellent writing.

Great book and will be re-listened.

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Echos of the Miniturist.... Not an amazing story but easy listening and very well narrated

An easy listen

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A cast of characters tell a fine story of the poor and prosperous people of London's Hugeunot silk weavers.

Journey back in time to old London

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I would have listened to this book in one sitting if I could. I took this story every where I went and I listened to it while working and when I was relaxing. I usually get distracted from audio books while working but this book kept my interest all the way through. Thank you 😊

Loved this book

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