Hester Roon [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Norah Lofts (Author)

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Soundings Ltd; Unabridged edition (July 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140790051X
• ISBN-13: 978-1407900513
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A STIRRING TALE OF 18TH CENTURY ENGLAND AND THE WEST INDIES, October 13, 2003

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hester Roon (Paperback)

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Super good Read, June 18, 2001

By 

anne johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hester Roon (Paperback)

It is hard to believe that no one in this grand old world has not bothered to write a review for this wonderful Historic novel. Hester was born to a sculley maid in 18th century England and was made to stay closeted in her attic room throughout her childhood. Her Mother managed to send her to school where she thrived. Her Mother killed herself after being discovered helping a highway robber know when wealthy people stayed at the Inn so he could rob them She was trying to save enough to get her and Hester away to start a better life. Hester was put to work there but when the fat old landlard began to put the make on Hester, she fled to London where she got a job with an old lady. She was transported to the West Indies when she was accused of working with some other people who were out to rob the old lady. In the Indies, she was put to work with a wealthy family whose top man was a weak, handsome person. She fell for him and resisted the attention of a nearby plantation owner who was much the more desirable man for her. The famous Slave insurrection happened and everything comes out well in the end, thanks to Hester's integrity and unfailing strength. She is one strong lady. Nora Lofts is one of a kind and this is a goood novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A STIRRING TALE OF 18TH CENTURY ENGLAND AND THE WEST INDIES..., May 18, 2008

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hester Roon (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.