In the Land of the Long White Cloud

In the Land of the Long White Cloud Saga, Book 1

By: Sarah Lark, D.W Lovett - translator

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Hardworking London governess Helen Davenport longs for a family of her own but knows the prospect of finding a suitable husband grows dimmer each year. Then she spots an advertisement seeking wives for the churchgoing bachelors of colonial New Zealand and begins an affectionate correspondence with a gentleman farmer.

Meanwhile, not far away in Wales, society life bores Gwyneira Silkham, beautiful, daring daughter of a wealthy sheep breeder. She finds an unexpected escape when her father loses a blackjack hand to a mysterious New Zealand baron — and Gwyn’s hand in marriage goes to the baron’s son.The women cross paths on the ship to Christchurch — Helen traveling steerage, Gwyn first class — and form an unlikely friendship, one they’ll rely on when the husbands awaiting them turn out very different than they’d imagined.

This nineteenth-century saga of two unforgettable young women — navigating a new world and finding friendship, romance, and adventure at every turn — is as lush and sweeping as the hills of New Zealand themselves.

Public Domain (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great New Zealand Story! With lots of daring do!

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I didn't like the narrator as her voice seemed rather sibilant and slurry. An English narrator would have been better. Her voice somewhat spoilt the story.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story especially as it was about my homeland. It was historically correct and that was an added bonus. The story was exciting and I'd gladly read another book if it was serialised.

Good Listen

Love listening to Sarah Lark's audio books! They take you away for awhile.... you will enjoy them

Saga that Doesn't Disappoint

The story was filled with many interesting characters! It was nice to read a novel of historical fictionhat spanned 3 generations. The authors use of literature as landscapes and locations were described enhanced the story.

Stellar Saga!

If you like well written generational stories told with colorful and developed characters of love, friendship, family and history then this book is for you. The audible narration was interfering at first but after the first few minutes you realize how perfect the voice fits the settings. I loved this book and all of the plots and subplots and felt like I was one of the two women starting out in New Zealand myself! At times exciting, passionate, difficult, and joyful, these women and their men and families and neighbors pull you in so that you can't help wanting to find out what happens to them.

Love is hard to find

This book was a colorful story of the wealthy and the poor, written around people who loved animals.

Predictable

Predictable story with an exotic setting. Good for a long car ride or other journey.

A sweeping saga

I would actually give this book 3.5 stars if that was an option. The book had an interesting plot, but I thought it was just too long and cumbersome. I had a hard time sticking with it. It was well researched though, and I enjoyed learning some history of New Zealand.

Long but very good

I was surprised that this 21 hour epoch held my attention but it certainly did. This author did a great job maintaining a believeable flow of the story. Anne Flosnick helped, too, she is an awesome narrator.

Great as an audio book!

I enjoyed listening to this multi generational saga. The reader captured the voice and emotions of the characters well.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Anne Flosnik does a wonderful job narrating this series of books. Her voice is melodious and easy to listen to, and her many portrayals of the various characters are believable and full of passion.

I purchased this book (and this series) because I've been to New Zealand and hoped that there would be much description of the land.

I had also hoped for more Maori characters, especially main characters. Unfortunately most of the Maori in this story were relegated to servants, employees or foes.

Still, the story was enjoyable and a nice listen. Recommended.