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A Woman of Substance

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A Woman of Substance

By: Barbara Taylor Bradford
Narrated by: Bea Holland
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Now a major new Channel 4 series starring Brenda Blethyn (Vera) and Jessica Reynolds (Outlander) from OBE‑honoured, award‑winning author Barbara Taylor Bradford

One girl. One secret. One unstoppable ascent.

In 1905 a young kitchen maid leaves Fairley Hall. Emma Harte is sixteen, single and pregnant.

By 1968 she is one of the richest women in the world, ruler of a business empire stretching from Yorkshire to the glittering cities of America and the rugged vastness of Australia.

But what is the price she has paid?

‘Rivals meets Poldark, with a dash of Downton and Dynasty’ Guardian

'Still a story for our times' The Times

‘ [This] blockbuster 1979 period saga of female empowerment has been remade for a new generation' Daily Mail

‘An extravagant, absorbing novel of love, courage, ambition, war, death and passion’ New York Times

‘Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the best at spinning yarns’ Guardian

20th Century Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Feel-Good
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Critic reviews

‘An extravagant, absorbing novel of love, courage, ambition, war, death and passion.’
New York Times

‘A mighty saga. Little has been so riveting since Gone With the Wind’ Evening News

‘A long, satisfying novel of money, power, passion and revenge, set against the sweep of 20th-century history.’
Los Angeles Times

‘Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world’s best at spinning yarns’ Guardian

All stars
Most relevant
I spent many hours listening to this wonderful book. I will definitely recommend it to family and friends ❤

A most read.

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Wonderful story about courage, love, loss, hard work, family and friendship! What a lovely book this is.

Courageous

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I read thus book years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. This audio version certainly did not disappoint.. It is beautifully read and enables the characters to come to life..

Fantastic

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I loved this book, start to finish. Gritty storyline, great characters. sad when it finished

Fantastic

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This was a lovely book, so well written, I confess I was a little unsure at first, but after 6 hours and we arrived at Fairly Hall, a wonderful story started to unfold, with some fabulous characters. Emma was an incredibly strong young woman, and she was faced with many difficult times, but she endured and succeeded with her sheer determination and hard work. I loved Blackie, I think he was my favourite character through out the book, he was a real friend to Emma, and the salt of the earth. I recommend this book, it's a lovely listen, especially when the story gets going. And I know I will read the rest of the Emma Harte series too. The narrator was fabulous, Bea Holland did a fantastic job of reading this novel, I could hear the emotion in her voice at difficult times too, she did a marvellous job. Thank you to Barbara Taylor Bradford for a wonderful story, one that will stay with me, and thank you to Bea Holland for an enjoyable listen over the last few weeks. I really enjoyed! And I will miss it! 🤍 📚

A Wonderful Story!

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