King Solomon’s Carpet

Excellent descriptive novel. Explores the character’s personalities in detail. Anyone who enjoys that style of novel will like this one. I prefer something more puzzling.

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Truly excellent, gripping Barbara Vine

Fascinating story, interesting and believable characters. Narration was superb too. Enjoyed this as much as 'A Fatal Inversion' and 'Asta's Book'.

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1 person found this helpful

Okay

Bit of a departure from her normal stories so I didn't enjoy it as much

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I will listen to it again.

I feel I only scraped the surface listening to their lives of this disparate group whilst driving around in my car… intriguing themes. It feels like a good play that you have to think about afterwards.

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Loved this!

Excellent characterisation, cared about what happened to each one of them. Narration was perfect. Never come across anything quite like this story and very much enjoyed it throughout.

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King Solomon's Carpet

This novel, which I honestly believe that I have read/listened to at least five years is truly excellent. It tells the story and lives of a group of disparate people living in a converted school in West Hampstead.

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3 people found this helpful

I knew this book well already

But on audible it was a deeply impressive presentation perfectly narrated bu Michael Pennington. It was pure listening pleasure- a multi stranded story with as always plenty to learn and enjoy along the journey.

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1 person found this helpful

So different and absolutely gripping

What made the experience of listening to King Solomon's Carpet the most enjoyable?

I think Michael Pennington did a brilliant job. I would listen to him again.

What did you like best about this story?

I read the book years ago and loved it. The way the characters are drawn is so real and true to life, albeit they are a motley lot and you can't imagine it could actually happen. They are all flawed and you don't really feel much sympathy for any of them, they are not likeable, but somehow that makes the whole thing work. A very different story from your everyday read but very well written and read. Even though I remembered most of the story, I couldn't stop listening and found the audio version gave me more than I got from reading the book the first time, although I will probably read it again in the future and I will certainly listen again.

What does Michael Pennington bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He brought the characters to life in a way that you don't necessary get from reading the book. He makes them believable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the young man falls from the tube, the occasions when Alice thinks about her baby, when Jed thinks he will have to have his pet hawk put to sleep and when Cecelia died with her friend by her side.

Any additional comments?

A gripping book whether you read or listen with unsympathetic characters but that works for all that. Quite dark so don't read or listen if you want something uplifting! One of the best books/audios I've ever read/listened to. Brilliant and thoroughly recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

a yawnfest

only got half way before giving up out of boredom .far too much rather boring train trivia in a rather boring voice

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent

I loved this story; the intriguing characters, some pleasant and some very unpleasant! It grabbed my interest from the first chapter until the last. I thoroughly recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful