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Villa in Italy

By: Elizabeth Edmondson
Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
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Summary

Marvellously atmospheric tale of strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but nobody knows their benefactress....

Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer’s block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she?

While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden, and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before.

Slowly four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change - and even hope - is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all....

A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two and the personal consequences of living through such a time and a celebration of humankind’s ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

©2006 Elizabeth Edmondson (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Villa in Italy

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

gripping

i found this gripping ib a non gripping way .
it's not action gripping bur mind gripping.
the more you listen the mire it gets inside your head . lovely twiats and turns until you reach the finale

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

warm, engaging and fun.

My first book by this author but not my last. It took a while to get going but once it had, I couldn't put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable, exciting story and characters, i so wish i could have experienced those frescoes, so vividly described, and the tower...., wow!! really really enjoyed it, And just deserts for pompous Richie, ha!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow starter - but worth it….

It definitely has a slow start, but I think this is to fully embed the narrative and back story.

However once it does get going (approx 1/2 way through), it is very gripping.

I found myself immersed in the story and I could visualise every scene.

I missed the characters when I’d finished the book.

Performed perfectly

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful read

i really enjoyed this book. I came across it at a time of a loss of someone very dear to me and it was just what I needed. It took me a while to get into the story, but then i could not wait for the next time. Nicely drawn characters, exciting story, great narration. My soul was stroked.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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worth the wait

slow yo start temped to give up but very pleased I stayed with it.
intriguing twists.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

not chic lit

a really good story, well narrated. Unexpected twists, escapist. I have read and enjoyed several books by this author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

Great book, great stories and full of surprising twists towards the end. definitely recommend

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Boring

Well, I expected smtg diffrent or just smtg more than what I got. The reviews are enthusiastic but I don't find the story so good. Or 'good' is maybe the right word. Not awesome. Not a pageturner.
But the narration is perfect.
I'd recommend this as a light and slightly boring book to relax on the beach...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow & Rambling start

Different. Well conceived. Too slow & descriptive to start, but well worth it eventually. Narrator was good, apart from one of the central female figures who should have been far more feminine.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enchanting

A wonderful story with interesting characters and one of the best narrators I have had the pleasure to listen to.

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