Over the Hills and Far Away

The Life of Beatrix Potter

By: Matthew Dennison, Cassandra de Cuir - director

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) is one of the world's best-selling, most cherished authors of children's literature whose books have enchanted generations for over a hundred years. Yet how she achieved this legendary status is just one of several stories of her remarkable and surprising life.

Inspired by her 23 "tales", Matthew Dennison takes a selection of quotations from Potter's stories and uses them to explore her multifaceted life and character: repressed Victorian daughter; thwarted lover; artistic genius; formidable countrywoman. They chart her transformation from a young girl with a love of animals and fairy tales into a best-selling author and canny businesswoman, so deeply unusual for the Victorian era in which she grew up.

This biography will delight anyone who has been touched by Beatrix Potter's work and especially for fans of her children's literature who want to know the real-life animals behind Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and of course, Peter Rabbit.

©2019 Matthew Dennison (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Realatively slow story of an indomitable woman

The author could have benefitted from writing lessons by Beatrix Potter. She made timeless tales out of simple creatures giving them dignity and universality. While this book does document her accomplishments, I fear that he has done so with a begrudging of her great success.

Lovely

Just perfect! Other great British author.
Makes me want to hunt for any of her original art work.

Much beloved

Thank you for assisting our exploration of a much beloved artist and writer in her own space and time!!

Ponderous & not as entertaining as it could be

The author is so familiar with all of the voluminous drawings, diaries and notes Beatrix Potter left, and so intent on tracing every single leaf she ever drew to connect it with the same leaf in a story she published twenty years later, that he loses perspective and the reader drowns in minutiae. Thinking back over the book, there is an undertone of the author actually grudging Beatrix her success despite some fierce obstacles (family, societal expectations). Her success isn't described, explained or enjoyed. My frustration with the writing was increased by the narrator's delivery. This book was read by someone determined to place emphasis in every sentence, and it was tiring to listen to.

Amazing Story

I thought this was a nice portrayal of Beatrix Potter's life. Her timeless classic children's books are still giving children today the joy of being able to enjoy her stories. I also thought Gabrielle de Cuir did a fine job narrating.