The Landscape of Love

By: Sally Beauman

Narrated by: Robert Glenister, Sophie Ward

The year is 1967. Thirteen-year-old Maisie is at her decaying family home, once a medieval abbey. Lucas, an artist and friend, is painting a portrait of Maisie and her sisters. Maisie embarks on a portrait of her own: telling the story of herself, her sisters and their lovers, and of her friend, Daniel Nunn.

Twenty-three years later, Lucas's now-famous portrait features in a retrospective of his work. Daniel, obsessed by the sisters and determined to understand what happened that last summer at the abbey, pursues the answers to the past.

©2005 Sally Beauman (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Excellent -

I love Robert Glenister, which luckily took me to this book. It's an intricate, interesting story that is well written with fantastic performances. Robert Glenister made his character come alive, and he is the key performer. It is a bit slow initially; just keep with it as the youngest daughter sets the stage but it is well worth it. Excellent.

I love Sally Beauman

While this book feels like it starts slowly, keep listening as it becomes a wonderful mystery/family secrets kind of experience. Robert Glenister ends up narrating 3/4 of the book and he is marvelous. I do wish Audible would request recordings of Dark Angel and Destiny as well as Ms. Beaumont's most recent novel, The Visitors.

Love longing and loss

Robert Glenister is so relaxing to listen to. This was the main reason I first picked this to listen to, he is one of my favorite television actors and I had previously enjoyed another narration by him. The story had me intruiged from the star and I enjoyed the slow reveal as we gradually grew to understand the complexities of the relationships in this story.

Sticks With You

Had I been familiar with Sally Beauman's later writing, I would never have chosen to listen to this audible offering- I would have read it. I listen to books while carrying out mindless tasks and was annoyed at having to drop the broom to rewind some exquisite prose passages. Worse yet, just under two thirds of 'The Landscape of Love' is a stream of consciousness style telling of the story of the sisters Mortland by Daniel, one of the most richly imagined * characters I've ever encountered and not a fit diversion for the half mind I used to listen while cleaning up the detritus of an encounter with the edge of tropical storm Erika.

Robert Glenister's Dan demands and commands your attention from the beginning of his narrative, just as Beauman wrote him. Had I read this book, I would not have understood Dan's intimate narrative tone until well into the story, then been forced to revise my understanding of the narrative. While there are a few mysteries in this novel, gradual revelation of Daniel's character is not one of them.

Be aware this is no romance- the (unfortunately retitled) 'Landscape of Love' is, at it's heart, about the small and large, intentional and accidental ways we hurt and diminish those we love. It's about the way we fool ourselves, justify our actions and diminish our own lives.The original title 'Sisters Mortland' was just about perfect- pretty much covered it all. Listening to it was an immersive, sobering and unforgettable experience.



*(okay, fine- it's a cliche, but there are no other words for it- think of the depth and completeness of Humbert Humbert.)

great listen

I loved this book. The narrators elevated the story experientially....I will listen again for sure.

I Thought There Were Ghosts

Full disclosure, I read book summaries very briefly. The reason I bought the Landscape of Love is that I love Robert Glenister's narrations. He just has a lovely voice. And I saw there was something about an abbey, and ghost nuns. I was all set to love this book.

But I didn't. About an hour in, I was skipping chapters. The book moves back and forth between events in the 70's and events 30 years before. I thought it would be more intriguing. Frankly, I just tired of the characters and their lives.

And that is not the fault of the author. The writing is beautiful. The plot complex. I just didn't care about what happened to these people. But I still love Mr. Glenister's narration.