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  • The Secret Countess

  • By: Eva Ibbotson
  • Narrated by: Sian Thomas
  • Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (45 ratings)
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The Secret Countess cover art

The Secret Countess

By: Eva Ibbotson
Narrated by: Sian Thomas
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Summary

By the award-winning and bestselling author of Journey to the River Sea, a novel that sings with characteristic Ibbotson warmth and wit.

Anna, a young countess, has lived in the glittering city of St Petersburg all her life in an ice-blue palace overlooking the River Neva. But when revolution tears Russia apart, her now-penniless family is forced to flee to England. Armed with an out-of-date book on housekeeping, Anna determines to become a housemaid and she finds work at the Earl of Westerholme's crumbling but magnificent mansion. The staff and the family are sure there is something not quite right about their new maid - but she soon wins them over with her warmth and dedication.

Then the young Earl returns home from the war - and Anna falls hopelessly in love. But they can never be together: Rupert is engaged to the snobbish and awful Muriel - and anyway, Anna is only a servant. Or so everybody thinks . . .

©1981 Eva Ibbotson (P)2009 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

"An uplifting tale of romance - and Sian Thomas¿s Russian accent is irresistible."( The Observer)

What listeners say about The Secret Countess

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Would have been 5 stars if unabridged

This is one of my favourite books, a real shame I can't find it as an unabridged audiobook anywhere. Simple story but very comforting.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Shame its abridged

Brilliant book, gorgeous narration. Spoilt by being abridged, they've taken the loveliest and funniest bits of Eva Ibbotson style out.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

nice but abridged

I loved this book but was sad it was an abridged version which I hadn't realised. don't really see the point of abridging it anyway. it lost some of the lightness and humour but still a pleasant listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing story and narration!

This was such a joy to listen to, from beginning to end. So many unexpected twists to the story, and it’s very funny. Aged 10-50 in our car, we all loved it. One of the best audio books we’ve heard.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Easy Listening.

A beautifully narrated and lovely easy listening. Shall try another by the same author and hopefully the same narrator.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Alright

The narrator was pretty good and the story is still lovely, but a lot of the detail is missing. If this was an unabridged version, I would have given it 4 stars.

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