Night Music

By: Jojo Moyes

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

The Spanish House is a mixture of designs, Georgian, Gothic and Moorish, as if whoever started it had simply got bored. It has long been known as an architectural folly to locals, and is now nearly derelict to boot.

When its reclusive owner dies intestate, the Spanish House is left to his city-dwelling niece. For Isabel, recently widowed, the house is a potential lifeline - the only hope she has of providing for her two children without having to sell her most treasured possession.

But for neighbour Matt McCarthy, the house is revenge - on the family who ruined his father. For his wife it's the key to the perfect family life, while a struggling property developer sees in it a whole new future. As desires clash and intertwine, lives and loves are demolished - and the Spanish House becomes a true folly indeed...

©2008 Jojo Moyes (P)2008 WF Howes Ltd

Loved the story and the characters, but...

Why do the author and publishers feel such a need to have profanity to create realism? An audible book doesn’t let you skip over it, you are forced to hear the crude language. I believe you can emit emotion and poor character traits with less offensive words. Give it a try Jojo.

hard to get into.

I loved all of jojos books but this one. this story was all over the place and just not entertaining at all.

romantic novel with a twist.

really enjoyed this English novel. some of the words using were very odd indeed. x

Grumpy men, strong women, widows, undying love.

Basic Jojo theme in many, not great, but my first/favorite was 'Me Before You' so...

Holds your interest

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

Yes. I found it to be a nice story, an easy listen/read. It kept my interest.

What about Clare Corbett’s performance did you like?

Nice tone, easy to listen to and let you associate with the characters.

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

Not this one however, I was eager to get to each chapter.

Any additional comments?

This was my first book by this author, I would read another. Not too sappy, showed strength in the characters without making them into heroes.

Less convincing story that other Moyes's books.

Great reading and overall an interesting story but not as good as the rest oh her books

Problematic narration

The story isn't bad but the narration is a bit jarring/irritating. The narrator makes the children sound as if they are toddlers when one is a teenager and she makes the children's voices so loud that you have to keep adjusting the volume. Also the men's voices sound older than they actually are.

Comforting

If you are in the mood for a satisfying story where obstacles are overcome and everything ends up as it should, then you will probably like this book. I did. I found it kind of comforting. I can't give it higher marks because there was nothing surprising about it. The basic premise is nothing unusual and the plot twists are telegraphed from a mile away. I loved the hero of the story, but thought the heroine was annoyingly passive and dependent. I didn't really believe her transformation into a competent, self-reliant woman. This is another book that I consumed in audio form (while sick with the flu) and I have to say that Clare Corbett did a marvelous job of reading it.

Love JoJo

While this might not be one of my favorite JoJo books, it was enjoyable. She does a good job of developing her characters. The plot wasnt exactly original but it was enjoyable. The narrator does a nice job and the book kept my interest.Recommend it if you are looking for an easy listen.

Good book - perhaps a bit soap-operaish

Who was your favorite character and why?

I could relate to many of the characters, especially the children. Isabelle and Byron are probably the most relatable of the adults. Clare Corbett did a fantastic performance of this novel.

Which character – as performed by Clare Corbett – was your favorite?

She did a fantastic portrayal of almost all the characters - the responsible teenager, faithless husband, damaged handiman... even the singing of a little boy. She did a fantastic job, and I can't wait to hear her performance in Moyes' "The Girl you Left Behind."

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this look at country English life. Perhaps a bit more soap-operaish than I normally listen to - all characters seemed to have had or be having affairs - but the house itself symbolizing the rebuilding or deconstruction of families and marriages was a great plot device. I am glad I bought this book on sale - it's a nice light summer read, much lighter than Moyes' "The Ship of Brides" or "Me Before You" - and perhaps as such it was not quite as strong. Clare Corbett's nraration carries this one through.