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Confusion

By: Elizabeth Jane Howard
Narrated by: Jill Balcon
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Summary

This, the third volume of the best-selling The Cazalet Chronicles, takes up the story of the Cazalet family in the spring of 1942 and follows them through the war to VE Day. Polly and Clary have left Home Place for London where Archie Lestrange keeps a close eye on them; Louise, surprisingly, has married; Polly makes a painful discovery; Zoe, despairing of Rupert's return, stumbles on solace; and Edward's duplicity demands a reckoning.
©1993 Elizabeth Jane Howard (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"Lush, sprawling escapist fiction of the first order....Howard creates a nearly palpable world, peopled with the sort of well-conceived characters that linger long in the reader's mind." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Confusion

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Oddly compelling!

I have found myself strangely unable to stop listening to the beautifully written and superbly read slow unfolding of the complex lives of these beguiling characters. These appear to be made all the more complicated by the seeming inability of many of them to be straightforward with each other! Sadly, a lesson for me, when I look back at my own life!
I am guessing here, but I can't help wondering if the author would be rather pleased at this outcome!

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  • Overall
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Another fantastic audio book

Another great narration by Jill Balcon. She reads with such feeling. I wish she had done all 5 books in this series.

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  • Overall
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fabulous story telling

I've listened to the first 4 books and just love the characters and stories.

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So enjoyable, would recommend.

Love the characters, so of their time. Such brilliant narration. So well written. So thoroughly enjoyable, through the lens of the horrible war years. Surprises and normality. One book to go. I’m keeping it for a special occasion when I can give it my full attention. Always disappointed when they end.

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  • Overall
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Vivid writing - a wonderful experience

Vivid writing, a book which draws you in and keeps you immersed right to the last word. I've spent a wet week's holiday living with the Cazalets.
One criticism: the narrator does not leave a pause when the POV shifts to a different character. This was particularly obvious in the final twist when she read on, as if we were still hearing Archie's thoughts, and that spoiled it a bit. I had to check with the book that this was a different character.
But on to the next book...

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Slightly disappointing ending

Slightly disappointing ending. I would have liked to read a few more paragraphs to bring everything together but extremely good nevertheless.

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Wonderful

Transported me to a past time so vividly and compellingly- I absolutely love listening to the Cazalet Chronicles which are beautifully written and read.

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The ongoing saga

The more I’ve listened to this, the more I get annoyed with what an awful mother Villy was! Adore the growing up and passing of time this book describes

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Fantastic book

I have know completed all five books in this series. I hardly ever give five stars but these books totally deserve it.
I didn't want any of them to end. I feel like the characters are real people that I know. I can't put my finger on what makes them so brilliant unfortunately, as I wish I could write stories like these. I loved the innocence of the children and the time. I couldn't wait to go to bed to be able to listen to them. I completely and utterly lost myself in every one of the books. It's interesting as such things as morals and thoughts on life are as relevant hundred years of so ago as they are today.
I would totally recommend all five of these books. I cannot sing their praises enough.
The narration was absolutely fantastic with lots of different voices to have to change into. I did read that the narrator was a friend of the writer. Excellent work well done, I wish I spoke as beautifully as you do.
You must must listen to these books.

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Engrossing story set during WWII

Beautifully written and narrated. Excellent 3rd book in the series. Each character comes to life.

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