The Princess Galva


Read by MaryAnn

(4.6 stars; 76 reviews)

Edward Povey had been a correspondence clerk for twenty-two years when he was summarily dismissed. So how did he find himself mixed up with an orphan girl, who was really a princess, as she sought to reclaim her throne from the man who had killed her parents? Well, however it had happened, it was romantic. And after two decades in the basement office of a shipping company, he was ready for a bit of romance. (Introduction by MaryAnn) (6 hr 28 min)

Chapters

01 - Too Old at Forty 12:55 Read by MaryAnn
02 - At No. 8, Belitha Villas 11:01 Read by MaryAnn
03 - Borrowed Plumage 7:38 Read by MaryAnn
04 - A Letter From New York 11:33 Read by MaryAnn
05 - An Echo of a Tragedy and the Drainage of a Cottage 23:43 Read by MaryAnn
06 - At the Union Hotel, Penzance 14:58 Read by MaryAnn
07 - Tremoor 13:24 Read by MaryAnn
08 - The Panic of a Carpet Manufacturer 11:35 Read by MaryAnn
09 - Ducal Attentions 13:11 Read by MaryAnn
10 - Three Hands at Poker 14:20 Read by MaryAnn
11 - The Lieutenant Honours Galva 11:42 Read by MaryAnn
12 - In the Cathedral at Corbo 13:06 Read by MaryAnn
13 - The Plot 9:57 Read by MaryAnn
14 - At Casa Luzo 12:11 Read by MaryAnn
15 - Edward Shoots an Arrow Into the Air 11:44 Read by MaryAnn
16 - The Gentleman in the Tweed Suit 13:42 Read by MaryAnn
17 - Mr. Jasper Jarman Relieves His Mind 10:20 Read by MaryAnn
18 - The Captive 13:33 Read by MaryAnn
19 - Teresa 11:51 Read by MaryAnn
20 - The Boat From the Mainland 12:14 Read by MaryAnn
21 - Edward Sees Complications 14:07 Read by MaryAnn
22 - The Heart of Galva 15:33 Read by MaryAnn
23 - The Passing Gun 10:42 Read by MaryAnn
24 - A Bullet in the Grounds 12:10 Read by MaryAnn
25 - In the Death Chamber 11:55 Read by MaryAnn
26 - The Fugitive 17:12 Read by MaryAnn
27 - The Imposter 12:01 Read by MaryAnn
28 - Edward Departs 6:32 Read by MaryAnn
29 - Bloomsbury 13:57 Read by MaryAnn
30 - Revenge 9:31 Read by MaryAnn
31 - A Final Note By Edward Povey 10:09 Read by MaryAnn

Reviews

I liked the beginning most...


(5 stars)

My favorite part of the book was the opening chapters, when Edward is beginning his intrigue, “borrowing” a house, and having to work closely with his wife. I expected the book to follow that path—a comedy of the sticky situation they got themselves into, with them eventually working together and finding old affections rekindled, with whoever this Princess Galva is appearing and making things more complicated. But that’s not what happened. The main characters, the feel, and the trajectory of the book changed suddenly, and it was very unexpected to me. (Except for the inclusion of Galva as a character.) I’ve nothing against romance (as in adventure with a love interest), and I rather like stories about lost heirs and political intrigue. It’s just that’s not how the story started, and I kept wanting to get back to Edward on his own, or at least Edward as the central figure whose thoughts we’re given to know. For the rest of the book, it was better when we were able to focus on Edward’s point of view. Understandably, given the flow of the narrative, we had to hear from other characters, in addition to/besides just Galva. I get why, but that wasn’t as satisfying as the unique charter we have in Edward. Speaking of Edward as a unique character, I do like him as a character...everyone else, not so much. Galva, her love interest, her nurse/companion, and the baddies are the usual types. Normally I’d be ok with that—it’s just I started out the story with a unique, even surprising character, namely Edward. And poor Edward got flatter when he spent time around the others. The final chapter, in which Edward reflects on his adventures in a letter to the reader, was a help to the story as a whole since it reminded me of the theme that can, and ostensibly does, unite the whole story: a bored, nothing-achieved-in-life nobody gets a shot at something, and he takes it. But that theme should have been better woven throughout. [SPOILERS—IF YOU CARE.] Finally, morally speaking, I have issue with the fact that Edward abandons his wife and remains estranged, even after witnessing Galva’s marital bliss (though he continues to provide for her and they meet once a year). So, that’s a moral objection. But beyond that—because stories can include immoral things that are either “justified” given the characters, are used to teach a moral lesson, or are faults from which a character is redeemed. But none of that happens here. Edward’s abandonment is justified fully in his character, his actions don’t teach the audience a lesson (he’s pretty content with the arrangement), and he doesn’t repent. All this being said: in this story we’ve got some classic elements, and they are executed just fine (false identities, kidnapping and rescue, lost and restored heirs). So there was still plenty to enjoy, and I was never bored.

Introspecting Intrigue


(4 stars)

I found this clever time transporting tale of wit and unexpected adventure, quite nostalgically spellbinding. Storytelling narratives were intricately connected in this pleasant prose puzzle. A Lovely trip back to the days of Suspense Thrillers 👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾


(4.5 stars)

This is a charming story about Everyman having an adventure. It has shares of comedy, tragedy, regret and sorrow. A nice fin de siecle romance.


(4 stars)

Took a while to get into, but once I did it was hard to stop and looked forward to my next listen. Very enjoyable.

Fun Listen


(5 stars)

Well read by Maryann, as usual. This author has a lot of books that could be added to the collection.

great story


(5 stars)

You have no idea, in the beginning, where this story is headed. Read well.

The twists kept coming.


(4.5 stars)

enjoyed this book. twists and turns kept coming. Lovely reading voice.


(5 stars)

great story & so well read by Mary Ann