The Autumn Castle

By: Kim Wilkins

Narrated by: Richard Aspel

Berlin in autumn: Christine Starlight lives in an artists' colony with her lover Jude, whose patience and beauty have eased her battle with chronic pain. But Christine begins to be haunted by childhood recollections of a little girl's disappearance and the flapping of a blackbird's wings. Then her world is rocked by the return of a childhood friend... Mayfridh rules over a land where a wolf is the queen's counsellor, fate turns on the fall of an autumn leaf and mortals feel no pain. As Christine becomes addicted to Mayfridh's world, so Mayfridh grows addicted to Christine's, falling dangerously in love with Jude.©2003 Kim Wilkins. First published in Australia by HarperCollinsPublishers in. This audio version produced by arrangement with HarperCollinsPublishers Pty Ltd. (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"Kim Wilkins has a gift for creating narratives that swivel between the world of fantasy and reality. This is a tribute to the measured purposefulness of her prose ... Inhabitants of the real world will be seduced by this fantasy." ( Sydney Morning Herald)

Great Story, Horrible Narration

Would you try another book from Kim Wilkins and/or Richard Aspel?

Yes, but never another book with this narrator.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Emotion where there was none called for. He gave a lot (a lot) of words an "er" ending which were not "er" words.

Do you think Autumn Castle needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, I think the story was complete.

Any additional comments?

The story was wonderful. I liked the characters, I liked the way it flowed, but the narration is one of the worst I've ever heard. I would like to listen again, but with a different narrator.

Fairies and Make-Believe characters

Did not understand from the Audible summary that this book would involve fairies, and other make-believe characters. I have found the plot very hard to follow as it moves from character to character. I have TRIED to figure this book out, and have stuck with it in excess of 3 listening hours, but am giving up.

Who rated this novel?

I bought this audio book based on the author -- I like some fantasy, sci-fi, and I had enjoyed Kim Wilkins' other novel, "Giants of the Frost," very much. But after 45 minutes I couldn't grasp what the story would be about. I couldn't distinguish the characters one from another, or their purpose. I think the narrator will be one which I will avoid in the future.

There are no reviews on this book, yet it has 5 stars???? From whom? Why?

Life is too short to waste another minute on this novel.