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The Villa (Unabridged)
 
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The Villa (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

by Rosanna Ley (Author), Anna Bentinck (Narrator)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
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Read the customer ratings and reviews at Audible.co.uk for The Villa (Unabridged) (audiobook).


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Product details

  • Audio Download
  • Listening Length: 15 hours and 47 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Quercus
  • Audible.co.uk Release Date: 6 Mar 2014
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00IO184VO
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)

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Product Description

When Tess Angel receives a solicitor's letter inviting her to claim her inheritance - the Villa Sirena, perched on a clifftop in Sicily - she is stunned. Her only link to the island is through her mother, Flavia, who left Sicily during World War II and cut all contact with her family.

Initially resistant to Tess going back to her roots, Flavia realises the secrets from her past are about to be revealed and decides to try to explain her actions. Meanwhile, Tess' teenage daughter Ginny is stressed by college, by her blooming sexuality, and filled with questions that she longs to ask her father, if only she knew where he was. Three women, all seeking answers. Will Villa Sirena bring them together - or drive them apart?

©2012 Rosanna Ley; (P)2014 WF Howes Ltd

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A gloriously delicious read, to be devoured in one, preferably on a beach, with a cocktail! 21 Jun 2012
By Book Keeper
Format:Paperback
Tess has always known that asking questions about her mother Flavia's early life in Sicily is forbidden; but when she mysteriously inherits a villa in her mothers hometown her curiosity forces her to seek out answers. The Villa weaves together the lives and loves of three generation of women, Flavia, Tess and Tess's daughter Ginny. Exploring relationships across these intertwined lives creates a story accessible for readers of any age.

Tess realises her life has hit a rut, a dead end job and relationship with a married man are taking her nowhere fast. She decides she must go against her mother's wishes and visit Ceteria, Sicily and visit the villa she now owns. As she begins to explore the sun-bleached village and crystal blue sea, Tess quickly realises Sicily is as complex as it is beautiful. Every person she meets has a story and grudge to keep from her. Tess struggles to sift through all the complications and find out exactly why the mysterious Edward Westerman left her his villa.

The narrative jumps between Ginny in England, Tess in Sicily and Flavia reliving her escape from Sicily as a young woman, and all the secrets of her past. I found myself drawn to Flavia, her character felt very real and passionate, and whilst frustrating little detail is given away right up to the end, you just can't help appreciate her strength. In contrast I found Ginny's voice a little more jarring at the start. I wasn't sure if it was just an annoying teenage thing, but for the first section of the book she doesn't come across particularly likable. Although after a few crisis moments her character does appear to grow up and the narrative gets into its stride a little easier.

The book is very much a human story, brimming with emotion, and full of heart. Read more ›
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend! 20 Jun 2012
By Lex
Format:Paperback
I have just finished reading The Villa, an extremely engaging, wonderful read! I would recommend it to those longing for a bit of escapism and mystery, I couldnt put it down...
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read! 20 Jun 2012
By brighton1
Format:Paperback
I picked up this book at the airport and couldn't put it down! One of those books that captures you in from the start. Would highly recommend - I am now longing to visit Sicily :)
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great 21 Jun 2012
By Grahame
Format:Paperback
Great story, with some good characters and just the right amount of descriptive detail with a story that hooks you in from the first chapter.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic - Summer book of the year 20 Jun 2012
By Ana
Format:Kindle Edition
I woke up in Sicily every day and it was wonderful. Unfortunately when i but the book down it wasnt Sicily anymore. Such a fantastic read, i couldnt of felt more drawn in to the characters, the incredibly well-woven story and the beautiful hot Sicilian countryside. Youd be a fool not to buy this for your perfect summer read as i promise it provides just that!
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read 11 July 2012
By Trudes
Format:Paperback
I've just literally finished reading 'The Villa' and looked on Amazon straight away to see if Rosanna Ley has written anymore books but unfortunately not. When reading this book it's total escapism and so easy to imagine being in Sicily. So well written. I would definitely recommend this book.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Villa 31 July 2012
By Claire
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book; it's both delicate and substantial. The three main leads are vividly drawn and likeable and I felt I knew them well and understood the dynamics of their relationships with one another by the end of the book. I particularly liked the vividness of the setting; both the Sicily of Flavia's youth and that of Tess's now. I also liked how the male characters are drawn; they are physical and their stories matter very much too. Colour and flavour dominate and, after each of Flavia's chapters, I would find myself rootling in the cupboards for something tasty to eat! A really enjoyable read!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't get it out of my mind 26 Jun 2013
By Nicola Byrne
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
From the moment I browsed through the Kindle store and stumbled across this I just knew it was the book for me.

Having inherited a villa in Scicily, from a man unknown to her--a man who was her mother's employer many years ago--Tess leaves England and goes to Scicily in search of answers; why did that man, Edward, leave the villa to her and not to her mother, Flavia? why does her mother never speak of where she came from? what happened to her mother that she would want to abandon everyone and everything she ever knew to go to England?

Tess falls in love with the place, but soon realises that within such beauty lies ugliness; beyond the navy blue sea, the shimmer of schools of fish in the ocean, and the scent of fruit-bearing trees, lies bitterness, greed, power and egotism--all packaged as tradition and family honour of course.

Tess's daughter, Ginny, remains in England with Flavia and, after finishing school, is practically traumatised by her inability to decide on what to do with her life. She is only sure of what she DOESN'T want: university. As if that pressure wasn't enough, her father, who abandoned her and her mother before Ginny was even born, turns up at her door wanting to be a part of her life--it may eighteen years, but better late than never; or is it?
This particular part of the story didn't really do anything for me, but perhaps someone of that age may be able to relate to it as I do recall those insecurities about life when I was eighteen.

But for me, the real story here was Flavia's, Tess's mother: the headstrong woman who, as a girl, abandoned her family, her friends, her home and country in search of the man she loved, and in search of a better life. This was the story that captivated me and reminded me of a part of my own life. Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great holiday read
This book keeps you turning the pages from start to finish. A fantastic story with great detail and description that makes you feel as though you are in the pages too and can... Read more
Published 18 hours ago by suzannah walsh
4.0 out of 5 stars very good
I am enjoying this book I have not read for years until my son bought me the Kindle . This is an easy story to read
I can envisage being in Sicily the food and atmosphere the... Read more
Published 19 hours ago by Patricia George
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
Amazing book, one that I had difficulty putting down. One to read when you don't have anything else to do as you become glued to the story. Rosanna Ley is a fabulous writer
Published 19 hours ago by harriet steers
5.0 out of 5 stars The Villa
I just loved this book, set in Sicily and England. It made me want to take up italian cooking and visit Sicily, which I am doing in September! Read more
Published 1 day ago by Sandra Knight
5.0 out of 5 stars Summertime
Summertime on a page. Real feel good feeling with this book I felt as though I was there very enjoyable
Published 2 days ago by Joanna Baillie
4.0 out of 5 stars nice read
It was a nice read for the lazy Sunday afternoon. Nice descriptions of the landscape and food. Good to read.
Published 2 days ago by Boskooper
4.0 out of 5 stars The Villa
Lovely easy read, enjoyed getting lost in the Sicilian dream and how the three women's stories were intertwined. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Emma Hopkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Read
Thouroughly enjoyable read, didnt want to put it down, not only a good story line but described sicily and its food, culture excellently. Read more
Published 3 days ago by antonia hubbard
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Excellent read, just could not put it down, enjoyed it very much and hope there will be more for me to read
Published 5 days ago by Crispy
5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely enjoyable feel-good book
The perfect book to take on holiday if you want a well written, relaxing read set in bright Sicilian sunshine.
Published 5 days ago by Peter Cookson
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