Flowers from the Storm

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

He's a duke. He's a mathematical genius. He can't talk and he's locked in a lunatic asylum. Only a modest Quaker girl can reach him, but when she helps him to escape, she's swept into his glittering aristocratic world, her life torn apart by his desperate attempt to save himself.

Laura Kinsale personally chose the exceptional talent of Nicholas Boulton to narrate her classic romance Flowers from the Storm - cited by readers of The Washington Post and Glamour magazine as "one of the greatest love stories of all time" - creating a fresh and unique work that brings all the power and intensity of the original to audio.

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Odd Choice for this Genre

How strange is it to find yourself in the middle of a traditional Romance Novel wishing for fewer erotic moments. Well, this is a most unusual book, and that is what happens! Stick with me for a moment while I explain.

"Flowers from the Storm" (and where, oh where, does that inadequate title come from??) is very, very good in many ways. It's probably the best I've ever encountered at describing what it must be like to have a stroke and endure its effects. The confusion, frustration, anger, and helplessness of our hero are ours - his scrambled thoughts, feelings, attempts at language are conveyed to the reader/listener in an almost visceral way. It's extraordinary.

Then there's our heroine. Maddie's Quaker beliefs are really honored and explained here - not just shoved in to create contrasting life styles and views for our lovers. All characters, in fact, are wonderfully presented, from the Duke's family and friends to the Quakers to the attendants at the madhouse. There's a real talent here for filling the story with rich and full characters.

So, here's the dilemma: "Flowers" is full of serious, thoughtful, and interesting content. Yet, there's the necessity, in a Romance Novel, for the love scenes in some detail and eroticism. I'm not adverse to these scenes in traditional romances, but they do seem rather out of place here. I actually found myself wanting these diversions to go away and get us back to the real story of the Duke's struggles with his physical disabilities and the desperate need to communicate his mental competence. And Maddie's struggle with her efforts to help him and maintain her values of simplicity and honesty.

Books which present this subject matter so well are usually given credibility - I'm just afraid the book's genre category and the really dumb cover and title will keep its rightful audience away. Too bad!

Nicholas Boulton is a fantastic narrator - especially when conveying the Duke's point of view. It's harrowing to hear the raw confusion, fear, and frustration of a man accustomed to absolute power dealing with the inability to communicate - and we're with him every step of the way.

Made me cry at different points.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would recommend to a friend. It is an outstanding book of love, courage, and heartache.

Which scene was your favorite?

The love that came through following the near hopeless situations.

Any additional comments?

The entire book is moving.

This one goes on the read again list

A solid story that held my interest from start to finish, Ms. Kinsale has created strong believable characters both bad and good. The story sucks you into it making you an active participant in wanting to see a positive end. It will definitely go on my list as one worth repeating.

Excellent

A wonderful story - could not put down and never wanted story to end. Love love this story wish there was more.

Beautiful, passionate, brilliant story!

It's official - this is my favorite story, ever!

I first read Flowers from the Storm in 2010 and fell in love with Christian and his Maddygirl from their very first words on the page, but it's such an emotional story that I couldn't bring myself to read it again, though I thought of it often. That said, when my sweet friend, Lady Wesley, raved about the amazing narration given this story by Nicholas Boulton, I just had to give it a listen.

And I am so, so glad that I did!

Honestly, I can't even begin to express all the ways in which this audio edition of the story is wonderful. Truly, I'm unable to find the words that will do it justice. Mr. Boulton brought a level of poignancy and sensuality and eroticism to the story that wasn't as evident in my reading of it. As amazing as the story was when I read it, it was even more incredible listening to it, because Mr. Boulton gives the characters such beautiful, passionate, tragic, and inspiring voices that you don’t just hear the story, you experience it.

If you've had this on your shelf waiting for the right time, stop waiting. Whether you choose to read the book or listen to the audio, stop thinking about it and just do it. But have tissues handy. You'll need them. But whatever you decide, know this - without hesitation I can tell you that this is one of, if not the best, most profound, thought provoking stories ever told, and the most beautiful happily ever after, ever!

Not always a comfortable listen, worth it!

What made the experience of listening to Flowers from the Storm the most enjoyable?

This story was not easy to listen to. It was uncomfortable, but was so worth listening to. Imagine losing your ability to effectively communicate when you need it the most. I felt for Christian so much. This would be hard now, but in this historical piece it was even more heartbreaking because that which one does not understand is shunned and medical treatment was pretty much guess work. As for Maddy girl--her struggle to hold onto her identity as a Quaker was real. She is thrust in a world that she knows she does not belong but feels she must stay to take care of Christian. She feels guilty for all of the opulence that surrounds her as well as the feelings she develops for Christian.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christian-I grew up reading historical romances where the guys were rakes and rogues. I felt like I knew him. Also, I kept picturing him as Benedict Cumberbatch in my head. It made sense with his intelligence and haughtiness as a Duke as well as the anger and playfulness he could express. I could picture him in my mind this way.

What about Nicholas Boulton’s performance did you like?

Everything. He did a fantastic job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of the moments in the sanitarium broke my heart. The moments in the garden with the kittens was sweet but the moment that most moved me I don't feel comfortable listing because it would definitely be a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

I read other reviews on this and found several that the reader became frustrated with Maddy's Quaker beliefs. I just kept trying to keep in mind that this was a foundation for her life--a life long belief system. That is not going to change overnight and it would not be easy to let go of that. Also the author was smart to throw in a possible love interest for Maddy within that group. It was good for Maddy to have a choice and not just be with Christian because he needed her but because she wanted him.

A very original romance.

This book while good, takes you places that is very different from the typical regency romance book. I was engrossed in the story from the start. I may not have always like the directions but the characters were very complicated and I rooted for both. The Quaker part was a bit tedious towards the end, but I like the person that Maddy had become from it. Life became unbearable for Christian after he suffered what I viewed as a stroke. It was compelling to see how he struggled to overcome society and his family. I will be trying another book by this author sometime in the future. Narrator did an excellent job and I hope to hear many more book read by him.

Most Irritating Heroine EVER!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is a toss up. I liked the book overall, but I spent most of the time so irritated with Maddie Girl that I wanted to scream. I actually did scream at her a couple of times. Luckily I was in my car and alone when I did so.

Would you be willing to try another book from Laura Kinsale? Why or why not?

Possibly. Only if narrated by Nicholas Boulton and No Quakers.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Boulton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I will be looking for more by him. He was a wonderful narrator and really brought Christian to life.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

a different heroine. I loved Christian, but Maddie so dang impossible that I wanted to strangle her. I will say that at the very end, once she realized that she did love Christian, she became much more likeable. I can understand she was torn between her faith, teachings and her attraction, but it was just so....irritating.

Any additional comments?

The book is very well written. The conflict and emotions that are portrayed by Christian are outstanding. If you can handle a holier than thou attitude by the heroine, then Maddie is just up your alley. If not, stay away. I was determined to finish the book, but by the second chapter, I hated Maddie. She was annoying, whiney, and I wanted to strangle her. Christian did not deserve someone like her.

I didn't want it to end!

This is one of the best stories to which I've listened! I fell in love with the main characters and their friends. It was a very different story line than the many historical fictions I've read, and I was hesitant to read it. I'm so glad I did. It is not just a romantic fluff story but has real depth. I don't know if I would have had a different reaction if I had read it instead of listened to it. Nicholas Boulton's reading made it come alive especially when Christian stuttered through his thoughts and words. Wonderful job! You have to listen to the reading of this one. Enjoy!

A long and interest journey

Three downloads for the book-18 hours of listening, but worth my time. It was an interesting story. I did not fall in love with the hero although I feel he was a man of his time, but as a speech pathologist, I found the story interesting. I have had patients with the anger and frustrations of not being able to communicate. I also understood the religious struggle. I just felt, overall, that I didn't love them as a couple as much as I do other romantic couples. Not a re-listen for me, but it was enjoyable.