Interesting stories, less explored in English.

Reasonable historical fiction. Some anachronisms (French republican tricoleur in Bourbon times, Spain’s papal approval for S American colonisation not being shared with Portugal) suggesting inadequate basic historical education. It addresses subjects less popular in anglophone literature, visits places less explored, reminds us that the difficulties of refugees are not new. Louis XIV impoverished French economy and culture by persecuting and expelling Huguenots. A large number of migrants challenges even the most tolerant nation. Migrants may accept great danger and hardship to escape unacceptable conditions, but can prove resilient and adaptable, beneficial to the country which accepts them. There’s much resonance with Jewish history.

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belief in God

So great was their belief in God that they never gave up. So wonderful

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Loved this trilogy

I really enjoyed this book it was an easy one to listen to and was great to pick up and put down as and when I needed to the detail was great it was an exciting story and I really enjoyed hearing about the adventures of the main characters thank you

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4 people found this helpful

An excellent read.

Very well researched and beautifully written. Well worth a read. The account is informative, engaging and heartwarming at the same time despite the injustices described. So glad I came across this author and will be reading more books from him.

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2 people found this helpful

An OK listen

I finished this at the second attempt. I cannot put my finger on what was missing. The ending was very rushed. I wasn't able to 'see' the characters as I listened and lost all sense of the historical period as the stories progressed. It was worth a listen but I won't turn to it again sadly but hope others enjoy it more.

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Brilliant

Loved everything about this book. Fast paced and informative. I really started to feel for people involved in such a cruel part of history

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What’s the noise ?

Brilliant story but spoilt by the noise in between chapters in the last book I will miss these characters greatly

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3 people found this helpful

Episodic historical saga. Strong on events, weaker on characters.

The background of theological/political upheaval across Western Europe in this period is an interesting one, and the trials and tribulations of the fleeing Huguenots touch many different milieu across the globe, making for an entertaining family saga.
The books are so episodic that i suspect they were written with an eye to translation for a TV series (the three books being three series), other than that i cant see why The Chronicles are 3 books. For me, the background is strong but the narrative is weakened by the thinly rendered characters. A lot happens to the protagonist, but apart from the strength is his faith and his desire to behave in accordance with his principles we don’t get to really know who he is, no real crisis of faith even, despite the horrors he witnesses. The only character who really comes to life is his wife Jan, and then only while she is working for a low rent woman in London. Her annoyance at the servitude does at least make her a more rounded person and more relatable.
I am a harsh judge, especially having recently read Henry James and the like, but the lack of density of writing about the inner lives of the Huguenots made this a bit lightweight for me. What i learned about the history was engaging, but the characters seemed merely to be ciphers to tell events. And this limited my enjoyment overall.
Finally, the narrator was another male actor who insists on adopting his idea of ‘a female voice’ for the female characters. Often making them almost seem like caricatures. If it’s a well written female voice, it is not necessary to create a ‘female’ sounding voice. The voice will be female because of its source.
In addition, the adoption of ‘working class’ voices, seemingly out of episodes of the UK TV Soap Eastenders for various characters supposedly in a French town hundreds of years ago was just odd. I realise it is no leas authentic than speaking english with a french accent, but I would have preferred that for time and place.
If you liked the Aga Saga’s of the 70s and 80s this may appeal. If you are interested in the story of the Huguenot exodus this will interest you. If you seek a literary experience it will disappoint.

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1 person found this helpful

Good company.

Although at times predictable, the story gave an interesting insight into the life and times of the Huegenots.
The narrator was adept at changing characters.

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Worth listening

kept me nicely entertained whilst mildly educating me on the historical context.👍For some reason I need 15 words for a review so here you go.

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