9780062293145
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Godiva audiobook

  • By: Nicole Galland
  • Narrator: Emma Jayne Appleyard
  • Length: 9 hours 1 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: July 02, 2013
  • Language: English
  • (337 ratings)
(337 ratings)
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Godiva Audiobook Summary

Nicole Galland, author of The Fool’s Tale, turns her clever pen toward re-imagining the famous legend of Lady Godiva in this expertly crafted historical novel set in Anglo-Saxon England.

A 12th-century noblewoman, Lady Godiva is infamous for riding naked through Coventry to relieve her people of her husband’s unfair and oppressive taxation. Leofric, Earl of Mercia, said he would ease the tax burden if she would ride through the streets, wearing only her glorious, long hair. In doing so she risked everything, including her home and well-being.

Told with humor and precise attention to detail, Nicole Galland’s Godiva brings to life the adventures of the legendary lady, her husband and her best friend the Abbess Egdiva in thrilling detail. It’s an entertaining tale of courtly intrigue, deceit, and romance that is sure to captivate fans of literary and historical fiction.

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Godiva Audiobook Narrator

Emma Jayne Appleyard is the narrator of Godiva audiobook that was written by Nicole Galland

Nicole Galland is the author of the historical novels GodivaI, IagoCrossedRevenge of the Rose; and The Fool’s Tale; as well as the contemporary romantic comedies On the Same Page and Stepdog, and the New York Times bestselling near-future thriller The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. (with Neal Stephenson).

About the Author(s) of Godiva

Nicole Galland is the author of Godiva

More From the Same

Godiva Full Details

Narrator Emma Jayne Appleyard
Length 9 hours 1 minutes
Author Nicole Galland
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date July 02, 2013
ISBN 9780062293145

Additional info

The publisher of the Godiva is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062293145.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Tara

July 01, 2013

Blown away by this book. I was expecting a historical fiction about a woman who to repeal a tax, rode a horse naked through a town a very long time ago. I got that, but I also got an incredibly brave heroine, a nun with a scandal, glimpses into the early days of "Christianity" taking over "paganism" and becoming political and corrupt and fantastic bursts of humor.At first, I was put off by the heroine. She uses her eyelashes and sexual promises she has no intention of delivering to get her way. She ends up rubbing the kind--a man not fond of women to begin with--the wrong way. And when you end up on the king's bad side, there's always repercussions especially when it's a new king who needs desperately to exert some power and influence over someone. In Edward's case, it's Godiva.First of all, her and her husband have the most charming and sweetest marriage. I'm going to say this is one of my favorite couples of all time. Her friendship with her abbess friend is not perfect, but is so real. I love the conflict they faced, how the are there for each other, even when one's meddling causes problems.Most of all, I love how Godiva handles herself in the end, starting down men will ill intentions, standing up for her people, not showing shame or fear, turning their own bulliness around on them.The novel is also really rich in historical detail. At times it was more than I needed, namely when it went on and on about towns or the history of some people. BUT I've heard of many of them before so some of it wasn't new to me. Some of it was though--such as the decorated eggs. I had no idea this is how that started.The humor....Godiva has a terrific sense of humor--her husband too. I highlighted examples, but I fear the review will be too long. She's witty, sarcastic, and portrayed like a woman before her time, but it made for great reading.I'm not done. Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...

Andrea

July 24, 2013

There are some books you simply can't help but love, and for me, Godiva was one of them. The cover is what drew me to the book. It is simply stunning, but it is Nicole's writing that just made me fall in love.Lady Godiva is a cheeky thing. Using her beauty and ability to flirt to help her husband's cause. She really came across as a modern forward thinking woman in medieval times.What stood out is how important Godiva was to her husband. Her character was so strong and she reminded me a bit of Jacquetta the Duchess of Bedford.Perhaps in a way Lady Godiva paved the way for strong women like Jacquetta in years to come.But she's more than just a strong female character, she's meddlesome and she's always getting in trouble. Throughout the book she is on King Edward's bad side. Though the story of her famous ride is more legend than fact, this book gives you an idea of the type of women whose convictions were so strong that she'd do something like ride horseback naked through Coventry!Nicole takes liberties with the legend, but in her telling of Godiva's story you get get a wonderful picture of a modern woman from medieval time.

Otavio

December 02, 2017

No main character murdered in the last 15 pages ("The Fool")A combined retelling of two legends: :Godiva and an Abess. They are also childhood friends. They get angry at each other.. They kiss and make up.

Don

April 02, 2018

Making history live!A most enjoyable piece of historical fiction. I really loved the liberal and accurate use of discontinued English words to bring the world of 1045 alive. I felt - and could almost smell - as if I was really there.IThe corrupt behaviour of religious and royal rulers was well explored and almost exposed - feeling like a modern exposé of life!I really loved Nicoles characters. Vibrant, alive, dynamic, real.Fabulous book. Well written.

D

October 10, 2021

It starts really slow, and more like a cheesy romance novel than good fiction. Godiva is not just unlikeable but actually cringeworthy. But it gets a lot better after the first half and the plot emerges. Good audio book.

Kimberlee

December 14, 2021

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2014/0...

Ming

October 21, 2019

A historic novel. A feminist and unconventional woman in those days. Tries to be historically accurate. A delicious mixture of spiritualism and paganism. And a interesting background to the legend of the ride. The climax, which is the ride, is gripping. Read the historical notes. An easy read.

Mirella

July 23, 2013

GodivaNicole GallandNicole Galland, author of The Fool’s Tale, turns her clever pen toward re-imagining the famous legend of Lady Godiva in this expertly crafted historical novel set in Anglo-Saxon England. A 12th-century noblewoman, Lady Godiva is infamous for riding naked through Coventry to relieve her people of her husband’s unfair and oppressive taxation. Leofric, Earl of Mercia, said he would ease the tax burden if she would ride through the streets, wearing only her glorious, long hair. In doing so she risked everything, including her home and well-being. Told with humor and precise attention to detail, Nicole Galland’s Godiva brings to life the adventures of the legendary lady, her husband and her best friend the Abbess Egdiva in thrilling detail. It’s an entertaining tale of courtly intrigue, deceit, and romance that is sure to captivate fans of literary and historical fiction.Godiva by Nicole Galland. It is a novel meant to entertain. It’s a light, quick, read about the intriguing Lady Godiva who has been legendary in English history. It’s light on historical facts, but with just enough historical detail to bring the times to life. I loved the simple way the introduction was written. It helped explain a complex history regarding the tax in elegantly simple prose. The book then opens with Godiva using her sexual prowess to put an end to a dispute between her husband and a neighboring lord. It tainted my expectations of Lady Godiva and made her seem more of a strumpet than a wise and strong wife. It also sent a warning bell ringing in my mind because it made me think the book would turn out to be like one of those all too common, inexpensive, bodice ripper romances. Lucikly, as the novel progresses, Lady Godiva is given a little more substance. The novel was not encumbered with too many characters, so it was easy to read. I liked that very much. It allowed me to relax into the story without having to struggle to keep track of who is who. Much to my delight, the author introduced only those characters integral to the story. However, one character is missing according to her legend, and that is Peeping Tom, the one person who refused to avert his eyes and stole a look at her while she rode naked. Another fact that might have been a little distorted is legend says it was her husband who imposed the tax and who initiated her naked ride, however, in the novel it is her husband’s overlord, with Leofric against the display, but coming to her aid in helping her make it through. My favorite subplot was that of Godiva’s friend, Abbess Egdiva and the troubles she got into. The brilliance of the book is the chapters that pertain to Lady Godiva’s naked ride. I thought that was writing at its very best, gripping, descriptive, emotional – it had it all. There are a few flaws in the historical details, but for those readers who are more into the story than the history of the times, this will not be a problem. All in all, this was an interesting novel, not one of my favorites by this author, but good all the same.

Dianne

July 14, 2013

If you can be patient and stick with this book trough the first 75 or 100 pages, it all becomes worth it. I have seen this book called “historical fiction lite” but if you were in my shoes, and you appreciate historical romance, you would see this as a little more ‘hefty” of a read. This book is filled with details that are sometimes boring and at other times, quite illuminating. There are well-drawn characters, enough historical fact without the book turning into a history textbook. You do not have to overly suspend your disbelief and the author makes what could have been a dry regurgitation of a tale told almost too many times, into a wonderfully entertaining story.Once I slogged through the who’s, what’s and where’s and figured out that Godiva wasn’t really the slut she portrayed herself as. Godiva is, though, as portrayed here in this book, a manipulative, selfish, arrogant woman. She is also proud, caring, shameless and on the side of right. She is a woman that was a surprise for me considering the era. Once I figured out that she saw men as nothing more than testosterone-ridden pawns in her game of anti-taxation, I was able to settle in for a good read. I was surprised to find so much humor in a book about such a serious issue.---------------------->Possible Small Spoilers

Stephanie

July 09, 2013

4.5 Stars'Godiva' is a historical fiction novel that goes beyond the well known story of Lady Godiva - the woman who rode naked on horseback to help the people of her country - to show how she came to be on that horse and her life leading up to that infamous ride.This was a beautifully written retelling of an ancient legend and one that makes the infamous Lady Godiva seem not only human, but realistic to the reader. Throughout the novel, we get to read about Godiva's daily life - her struggles, her passions, the problems of her court and her people, and the deception and intrigue that was a daily issue for her. The plot was richly told with vivid detail and intricate descriptions, and I could easily imagine myself experiencing life beside Godiva as the events unfolded. The book told the "behind the scenes" story of Godiva and her life, so we get a real look as her as a person instead of the famous legend she has become. I loved reading about the history of the time and the details that the author provided throughout the story felt authentic and realisitc. The writing was impeccably done and really showcased the author's talent - it's clear why she is a best selling author after reading this book. The author has given life and a fresh breath of air to this famous woman in history and fans of the genre, as well as any reader who appreciates beautiful and well written novels should not miss out on this masterpiece of literature.Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

nomadreader (Carrie D-L)

July 17, 2013

(originally published at http://nomadreader.blogspot.com)The basics: Godiva is fictional retelling of the infamous Lady Godiva, her husband, and best friend Lady Abbess Egdiva.My thoughts: I'm particularly fascinated by old, old history. There's something about trying to imagine life more than a few hundred years ago that challenges my mind. This phenomenon is at least partly attributable to my lack of knowledge about the actual history of these time periods, but Lady Godiva is a name I've heard for years and was curious to learn more about someone who definitely fulfills the bumper sticker, "well-behaved women rarely make history." Nicole Galland, a new-to-me author, makes Godiva come alive from the novel's first pages. I love dynamically drawn historical characters based on real people, and Godiva is a delightful one.What I liked and appreciated about this novel even more, however, was how lively Galland drew the setting. Often I struggle with how to picture the world in old historical fiction, but as I read Godiva, I was so caught up in the story, I never stopped to ask myself if I was making false visual assumptions. Throughout this novel, I felt like I was watching a movie almost as much as I was reading a book, and this sensation is not normal for me.The verdict: Godiva is a fun, adventurous, and fascinating historical romp. Galland brings both Godiva and the time period to life in a beautifully visual novel.

Kathryn

May 01, 2014

Quick, easy read about a loving husband and wife relationship. A spirited heroine, a scandal with a nun, the push and pull between Christianity and Paganism.It's really is a great read. You get so wrapped up in the story that you don't realize you're also learning about historical events as well.

Amelia

July 23, 2013

I really enjoyed this one. It's a much lighter read than the author's previous book, I, Iago, and I like the way it focuses so well on the relationship between the two women, Godiva and Edgiva. Although you know, going in, that she's going to make the naked horseback ride, the journey to that point is still interesting.

Megan

November 07, 2013

Thoroughly enjoyable book. Nicole Galland does a superb job in taking a historical event in which not much detail is truly known and weaving a fantastic tale. This book is most definately a page turner. The intrique and romance in this book are well crafted, and the quick wit of Godiva, Leofric, and Engiva make this a very enjoyable read.

Barbara

August 29, 2013

Being an avid historical fiction reader, I was really excited about getting this book and was not disappointed ! The time period just before William the Conqueror invaded England was not the most enlightened of times, but this author brings humor and culture to the forefront through the story of two brave and courageous women, Godiva and her friend Edgiva, the Abbess of Coventry. Great story !

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