Figures in Silk Audiobook By Vanora Bennett cover art

Figures in Silk

Preview
Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Figures in Silk

By: Vanora Bennett
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Two sisters discover passion during the War of the Roses - one in the arms of the king, the other in the world of silk. From the author of the acclaimed novel Portrait of an Unknown Woman comes an epic tale of love and intrigue.

The year is 1471. Edward IV, who won the throne with the help of his brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is restoring law and order after years of war. Under Edward IV, life in England begins to improve. Business is booming once more and the printing and silk industries prosper in London.

When silk merchant John Lambert marries off his two beautiful daughters, their fortunes are forever changed. Elder daughter Jane Shore begins a notorious liaison with the king while industrious and clever Isabel finds herself married into the house of Claver, a wealthy silk dynasty. Fate delivers Isabel a challenge when her new husband is killed and she is forced into apprenticeship to her mother-in-law, Alice Claver.

It is from Alice Claver that Isabel learns to love silk and the exotic and passionate fabrics from Italy, Persia, Spain, Tunisia, and beyond. Isabel learns to make her way in this new world of silk - to find friends and enemies - and she strikes an alliance with her sister's lover, King Edward IV, that will bring the secrets of silk-making to London.

As Isabel grows in power and her plan for a silk industry run by Englishwomen is set into motion, the political landscape shifts in dangerous ways. One sister will fall as the other rises and choices must be made that will change their lives forever.

©2009 Vanora Bennett (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers
Historical Fiction Fiction England King Royalty War
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup

Editorial reviews

King Richard III, Henry Tudor, Elizabeth of York, an industry transformed by the printing press and improved trade between the nations, and bloodshed: We are in 15th-century England, during that period known as "The War of the Roses". British author Vanora Bennett penned this hefty historical novel, performed in a fun variety of British dialects by Katherine Kellgren.

Bennett makes the interesting choice of showing this world through the point of view of Isabel Lambert, a 14-year-old merchant’s daughter who is married and widowed early on her way to becoming a craftswoman in silk. Unlike, say, the plays of Shakespeare, Figures of Silk gives the listener a glimpse into the life of the merchant class in this important and fascinating period.

All stars
Most relevant  
This story began with promise but it descended into rumor and gossip about Richard III.

Gossip

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This is a marvelous tale. It's the Bad King Richard, and the middle classes. And most interesting, the middle class people who sold and imported silk. Fascinating and very well done.
Highly recommended!

So Sew Good!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The story was okay, but I could not get used to the narrator's style. It seemed as if every chance she got, she would read fast and loud, and it came across to me like yelling. There was too much of that. I had to return it.

Narrator style was not enjoyable to me

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book was so interesting and the best narrated book I've listened to. Didn't want to put it down until the end. I highly recommend this book! it sticks close to historical facts and the story is very well written.

Great Summer Read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you try another book from Vanora Bennett and/or Katherine Kellgren?

I did not want to rate this story, but Audible does not allow to proceed with review unless all categories are rated. The story might be good, but I just could not keep listening to the narrator's whiny voice. She is just not that good with male voices, and her performance sounds artificial.

Awful narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This story started out strongly rooted in guilds and trade but tapered off into an unsympathetic and tawdry love affair. I am sorry to say that the book commuted the unforgivable sin of being a bore.

Disappointed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.