The Favoured Child

Wideacre, Book 2

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Kate Rawson

Length: 25 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Second in the best-selling Wideacre Trilogy, a compulsive drama set in the 18th century. By Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover.

The Wideacre estate is bankrupt, the villagers are living in poverty and Wideacre Hall is a smoke-blackened ruin. But in the Dower House, two children are being raised in protected innocence. Equal claimants to the inheritance of Wideacre, rivals for the love of the village, they are tied by a secret childhood betrothal but forbidden to marry.

Only one can be the favoured child. Only one can inherit the magical understanding between the land and the Lacey family that can make the Sussex village grow green again. Only one can be Beatrice Lacey's true heir.

©2006 Philippa Gregory (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Meh.

Usually I enjoy Philippa’s books. This one was just too predictable for me. Found myself skipping to next chapters to bypass a lot of banter, and I never do that.

Excellent but also challenging to get through

The writing and story is excellent but it is absolutely a challenge to listen to the emotional physical and psychological abuse of Julia. She definitely did not need to learn things in such a difficult way. She could have communicated what was happening to her a million times but did not. That being said the book is very well done and I will listen to the next.

2nd of 3

I listened to all 3 of the Wideacre book series in a row. As with the 1st book, I struggled to get past the horrid moral issues and on with the storyline in this 2nd. No one wants to think things like that could happen. While reading, I wondered, just who are the real villains, the wealthy or the poverty stricken. Whichever you decide, the villain is male, and wrong was done by both. I commend the author for the very different characteristics of the females in each book following the family lineage. As with the 1st, this book is well written and long.

This is a horrible book

I can appreciate the twisted view of an antagonist but I cannot stand a willful victim.

It’s like suffering through a horror movie where the actors make one stupid decision after another.

I suggest listening on 1.5 speed to minimize your suffering.

#2 is better than #1

This was easier than the first novel to get through, especially since the first novel set the stage for magic and madness. The heroine in this book reacted to the crippling demons put before her as a woman of the times might, which made it more believable. I continue to read the series. Phillipa Gregory is an excellent writer, no matter what she's writing about.

I love the book overall

There are parts of this book that are slow moving and cumbersome. But it is a good read for sure. Phillipa Gregory really knows how to write a bad character really well!

Wildacre aNovel with Splendid Characterizations!

The Favorite Child is the second on a series of 3 novels. This is a long novel with 25 hours of listening time. Listen and discover how depraved family members of each generation will go to own the 18 century home,stables and all the trappings of a wealthy family. Essential to the story and to reveal the true morality of each owner of Wildacre is how the poor folks in the cottages are taken and how fairly their labor.

A most excellent beginning to all Phillpa Gregory

Absolutely intriguing, this is Second book of her first series, and onward to the third! From Nobility to Gypsys!

Yet Another

Yet another wonderful story by Philippa Gregory. Second in the Wideacre Trilogy. Just as good as the first book. I am very anxious to get started on the third. I know I will enjoy it also.

The favored child

This very long audio book was very good! the teen age female lead was irritating as to how ignorant she was to the ways of the world and how women were treated in those days.