Viennese delight

Life in Vienna in 1911 through the eyes of dress shop owner Susanna Weber. This is a lovely listen and Juanita McMahon really brings the story alive through her reading. On the surface this is a warm and gentle story in which nothing very much seems to happen but it is shot through with moments of darkness and the bitter knowledge of the looming 1914-18 war. The story is episodic and it did slow a little in the middle, but I cared so much about all the characters that spending time in their company was a pleasure.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A good yarn

What made the experience of listening to Madensky Square the most enjoyable?

I ended the historical setting, it was different to my usual reads and I enjoyed the descriptions of the clothes and customs of the day.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Madensky Square?

When the main character first sees someone in a very long time, someone whom they've thought about for years and years. I do not spoil the story for someone else; so will not reveal whom. It was genuinely heartfelt writing and really stayed with me as a small but memorable part of the story,

Have you listened to any of Juanita McMahon’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have other audio books read by this narrator and she is one of my favourites. I'm very particular about the narration; I have returned several books because of what I consider poor delivery, or extraneous noise in the reading. McMahon is very good.

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

No, I felt that two thirds of the way the story was slow and I was feeling bored. I set off on s long walk and decided to stick with the book to see if it improved. I'm glad I did as the story picks up, all the twists and turns of the story are revealed. I ended up feeling that this was a good story.

Any additional comments?

This is the first book by this author that I've read / listened to, I would be interested to try more of her writing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent

The best thing I've listened to for ages. Great characters, story, narration - Just excellent.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb character study of belle epoch Vienna

I've yet to be disappointed by anything Eva Ibbotson has written.
This is written in a very Edwardian style.
I loved every second.
It was hard initially to like some of the characters but then as they are explored each one revealed an inner life that made them so understandable.
Jaunita MacMahon's reading of it is of a untirable clarity.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Perfect

Eva Ibbotson is my favourite writer. I had already read this book - it’s different from her other romances because the main character (it’s told in the first person, and I think may be her only novel told this way) is older and knows everything - usually she follows brave young girls who know nothing. But she is an Ibbotson heroine so she’s entirely led by her heart, and this takes in a full cast of wonderful characters who pass through her dress shop and are all given the most thrilling love stories of their own, told with wry humour by our sensible, emotional narrator. Every sentence is so beautifully crafted, all the descriptions of clothes as perfectly stitched as haute couture.

But I came here to talk about the narrator, who is breathtakingly great and I will be searching for something else of hers to listen to. How cleverly she unpacks the beautiful sentences and how well she understands every perfectly unfurled emotion. It makes so much of a difference when the narrator is clever, she absolutely inhabits the character of Susanna. I cried all the way through this perfect book, perfectly read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A heartwarming classic

I adore Eva Ibbotson, and all her work. This one is like a dream of dress making and interwoven passion. The voice acting was excellent and I highly recommend!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Lack of knowledge of German

I liked the story but found that the readers grasp of German was poor and there were many words she struggled with which spoiled the experience a bit for me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful