Audiobook Sample
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- Title: When He Was Wicked
- Author: Julia Quinn
- Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
- Length: 11:29:47
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 10/03/2020
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about hearing a romance unfold through the voice of a skilled narrator – it’s like being let in on a delicious secret. As I listened to Rosalyn Landor bring Julia Quinn’s “When He Was Wicked” to life during a rainy afternoon in Bath last autumn, I was transported to that perfect intersection where stellar writing meets impeccable narration. The cobblestone streets outside my window might as well have transformed into the London of 1812, so complete was the immersion.
This particular Bridgerton novel has always held a special place in my heart – not just for its slow-burn passion, but for how it captures that universal ache of loving someone just out of reach. Michael Stirling’s torment reminds me of a moonlit conversation I once had with a Portuguese fisherman in Nazaré, his eyes full of stories about the wife he lost to the sea. Some loves mark us forever, and Quinn understands this truth in her bones.
Landor’s performance is nothing short of masterful. She navigates Michael’s rakish charm and devastating vulnerability with such nuance that I found myself pausing the audiobook just to sit with certain passages. The way she drops her voice to a whisper during the pivotal library scene – you’ll know it when you hear it – had me holding my breath like I was intruding on something sacred. Her Francesca is equally compelling, balancing quiet strength with that subtle tremble of reawakened desire.
What makes this audiobook exceptional is how Landor captures the Regency era’s cadence without sacrificing emotional immediacy. The clipped vowels of aristocracy, the warm Scottish brogue Michael adopts when emotional – these aren’t just accents but emotional signposts. I’ve listened to hundreds of historical romances across six continents (yes, even Antarctica – long story), and this ranks among the top five performances I’ve ever heard.
Quinn’s writing shines particularly bright in audio format. Her witty dialogue takes on new life when spoken, and Landor delivers every barbed exchange between Michael and Francesca with perfect timing. The epistolary sections – which can sometimes drag in print – become intimate confessions when read aloud. There’s one letter in particular, written after John’s death, that Landor delivers with such restrained anguish I had to walk it off along the River Avon before continuing.
If I have one critique, it’s that some of the more introspective passages about Michael’s guilt might have benefited from slightly quicker pacing. But this is a minor quibble in what’s otherwise a flawless listening experience. Compared to other Bridgerton audiobooks, this stands out for its emotional depth – less sparkling banter, more soul-searing passion.
For those new to Quinn’s work, this audiobook serves as both a perfect introduction and a standout achievement. The story unfolds like a treasured family heirloom being revealed layer by layer – the polished surface of Regency manners giving way to raw, human emotion. Landor’s narration adds texture to every layer, making the listening experience feel both luxurious and intensely personal.
As someone who’s spent years collecting stories – whether from Moroccan spice merchants or Kyoto geishas – I can say with authority that the best narratives make time collapse. “When He Was Wicked” achieves this magic doubly so: through Quinn’s pen and Landor’s voice. It’s the kind of audiobook that lingers in your senses long after the final chapter – the phantom touch of a glove being removed, the echo of a stifled confession, the scent of rain on a London balcony.
Yours in literary wanderlust, always listening for the next great story,
Marcus Rivera
