Virgin Earth

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: David Thorpe

In this enthralling, freestanding sequel to Earthly Joys, New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory combines a wealth of gardening knowledge with a haunting love story that spans two continents and two cultures, making Virgin Earth a tour de force of revolutionary politics and passionate characters.

As England descends into civil war, John Tradescant the Younger, gardener to King Charles I, finds his loyalties in question, his status an ever-growing danger to his family. Fearing royal defeat and determined to avoid serving the rebels, John escapes to the royalist colony of Virginia, a land bursting with fertility that stirs his passion for botany. Only the native American peoples understand the forest, and John is drawn to their way of life just as they come into fatal conflict with the colonial settlers. Torn between his loyalty to his country and family and his love for a Powhatan girl who embodies the freedom he seeks, John has to find himself before he is prepared to choose his direction in the virgin land.

If you were a gardener you may enjoy this read

I rather liked the plot line of this novel. I enjoyed the narrator very much. what I did not enjoy was the anger and the shouting. It was excessive but true to typical British communication techniques. I found Little Johnny to be a simpering fool of a character. I enjoyed the read but, as someone has said before, not Philipa’s best.

Great but,,,,

I loved this series. It was really well done, as always with PG great characters, realistic scenes, places, foods, challenges of the time.
Just gave 4 for the "story" for the last morning at the end of the book. Just a ln ending that could have been much better. It wasn't.

One of the best books I have listened to!!!

Highly recommended!! Philippa Gregory really does her research! While you learn about 17th century England (especially Charles I, parliament, and Cromwell) and the beginning of the New World at Jamestown, Virginia, you see John Tradescant torn between two (or three?) cultures! Though the book was long, I wouldn’t take anything out of it! Educational and totally entertaining!

Historic England & Jamestown

Based on the (real person) gardener, his experiences as gardener to King Charles I, his wife, his trips to Colonial Virginia and the English Civil War.

1) cover is mostly of North Carolina & only includes the Jamestown area at the top of the design.

2) I found his experiences depressing.

wonderful

one of my favorite audio books ever,
it will take you to another world
it deserves 6 stars