Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Duchess
- Author: Danielle Steel
- Narrator: Gideon Emery
- Length: 10:05:41
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 27/06/2017
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Historical
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I pressed play on Gideon Emery’s narration of “Duchess”, I found myself in a Parisian café near Place des Vosges, raindrops tracing lazy paths down the windows as the story’s opening unfolded. Much like the unexpected turns of my own journeys through Moroccan souks or along the Mekong Delta, Danielle Steel’s heroine Angélique takes us on a remarkable odyssey from English aristocracy to Parisian bordello – a journey that resonates profoundly when experienced through Emery’s masterful narration.
Listening to “Duchess” transported me back to that Oaxacan grandmother’s storytelling circle I often recall – where history wasn’t just recounted but “performed”. Emery achieves this same alchemy, his voice shifting effortlessly between the clipped English aristocracy of Angélique’s childhood to the sultry whispers of Parisian courtesans. There’s a particular scene where our heroine first sees the dilapidated building that will become Le Boudoir – Emery’s delivery made me smell the musty plaster and hear the creaking floorboards as vividly as I once smelled the adobe walls of that Mexican courtyard.
Steel’s narrative unfolds like a 19th-century fan – each rib revealing another facet of Angélique’s transformation from wronged noblewoman to architect of her own destiny. The author’s signature blend of historical detail and emotional depth finds perfect expression in audio format. I was particularly struck by how the medium enhances the sensory richness of key scenes – the rustle of silk gowns in the bordello, the clink of champagne glasses at society events, all rendered with exquisite attention by Emery.
As someone who’s documented the hidden stories of women in markets from Marrakech to Bangkok, I found Angélique’s entrepreneurial spirit particularly compelling. Steel could have easily made Le Boudoir a place of victimhood, but instead crafts a nuanced portrait of female agency within historical constraints. Emery’s narration captures this complexity beautifully – his portrayal of the diverse courtesans avoids caricature, giving each woman distinct vocal textures that hint at their untold backstories.
The audiobook’s pacing (at just over 10 hours) mirrors the rhythm of a transatlantic voyage – leisurely enough to savor the historical details, yet propelled by Angélique’s relentless drive. There were moments, particularly during her early struggles, when I found myself pausing the narration just as I might pause to absorb a particularly striking landscape during my travels. The emotional beats land with particular force in audio format – Angélique’s grief upon losing her home hit me as sharply as the desert cold did during that Atacama listening experience I mentioned earlier.
Emery’s greatest achievement lies in his handling of Steel’s dialogue. The verbal sparring between Angélique and her half-brother crackles with tension, while her tender moments with the women of Le Boudoir carry genuine warmth. I found myself wishing I could share this performance with that Oaxacan family – they would appreciate how Emery, like their grandmother, understands the power of silence between words.
If I have any critique, it’s that some of the secondary characters could benefit from more vocal distinction – a few of the aristocratic men blend together in memory. But this is a minor quibble in an otherwise superb performance. The production quality from Recorded Books maintains their usual high standards, with crisp audio that does justice to Emery’s rich baritone.
For listeners who enjoyed “Mademoiselle Chanel” or “The Paris Wife”, this audiobook offers a similarly immersive journey into a woman’s defiant reshaping of her destiny. But Steel’s particular gift for blending historical sweep with intimate emotion, combined with Emery’s narration, makes this a standout even in the crowded field of historical fiction audiobooks.
With pen in hand and headphones at the ready, always seeking the next great story,
Marcus Rivera
