A Respectable Trade Audiobook By Philippa Gregory cover art

A Respectable Trade

Historical Novels

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A Respectable Trade

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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From the author of The Other Boleyn Girl - a book about the devastating consequences of the slave trade in 19th century England.

Bristol in 1787 is booming, a city where power beckons those who dare to take risks. Josiah Cole, a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs capital and a well-connected wife.

Marriage to Frances Scott is a mutually convenient solution. Trading her social contacts for Josiah's protection, Frances finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum, and slaves.

Into her new world comes Mehuru, once a priest in the ancient African kingdom of Yoruba, now a slave in England. From opposite ends of the earth, despite the difference in status, Mehuru and Frances confront each other and their need for love and liberty.

©2019 Philippa Gregory (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Renaissance Women's Fiction Romance England Marriage
Compelling Storytelling • Historical Depth • Exceptional Narration • Vivid Descriptions • Consistent Accents
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This book was hands down one of the best listens I've ever experienced. The narrator was amazingly talented. While the writing being simultaneously excellent. You won't be sorry in choosing this book. So well done.

All around a wonderful listen

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It's been a long time since I have wept from reading. I really loved it.

Heart Wrenching

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I adored this amazing book from the first line. Run to get it now. Fantastic story , wonderful narration, it is all a good book should be!

Absolutely gripping

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intense the whole way thru. the reader made the characters more believable. thank you Phillipa.

characters were believable

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This book is hard to listen to at times. Clearly the fiction is based on brutal truths from our history. It also inspires empathy and encourages awareness of the cost of how we have lived and how we live today. Also, it is hopeful. A beautiful story.

Such a beautiful book!

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Like most of her books, this is great storytelling, the story itself is difficult to read. Some scenes are so heartbreaking that they made me weep and even worse knowing that these things really happened. Some of it is a gut punch.
The reader is magnificent. She brings the characters to life.

Great storytelling

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NO SPOILERS! We have all heard true accounts of the awful, cruel, unbearable stories of how our African brothers, sisters, wives, husbands were treated. Maybe some of us have witnessed the cruelty and injustice of racism. What Phillipa Gregory has been able to do, is wake up all of our senses to comprehend the feelings, thoughts, actions and experiences of the slaves. She puts us in the villages of Africa, the terror of capture, the pain, sorrow, mistreatment of the long ocean voyages. You definitely get a lesson on the true thoughts and feelings of each individual slave. The narrator, Adjoa Andoh is so extremely talented!!! She is able to go from a Sierra Leone accent to a Scottish scullery maid accent in an instant. There are several main characters in this book, and she tackled every one spot on!! I really don't know if this audiobook would have worked without Adjoa Andoh! I feel this book is a must read, must listen. Not just for historians....but to get the history of a very, very long, destructing, wretched period.. A period that went on for more than half of a millennium.

An exquisite, sad, incredible book!!!

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This book takes history and weaves it in a very personal story that takes the listener on a journey that shows the beautiful profound struggle that is life. The narrator gave many different voices to each character adding depth to an already deeply woven story of a tragic time in history. Embodying the will of the human spirit, the power of love,and how people can find hidden blessings in their sorrows and triumph. These over arching human truths along with Philippa Gregory vast knowledge of history create a thought provoking and vivid world. I can’t wait to listen to more of her books!

Beautifully written and read!

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This beautiful and many times disturbing story should be read by everyone so that we should be reminded how cruel the past is and that we humans should not repeat these crimes…

Heartbreaking

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Though I love Philippa Gregory, the true star was the narrator of this book. If I could give the narrator 10 stars I would. She brought the characters to life and her accents were amazing!

Philippa Gregory never disappoints... BUT

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