JULIAN FELLOWES'S BELGRAVIA

What a joy it is to hand the reins to the superb Juliet Stevenson and say, “Take my carriage to Belgravia in 1841.” The story is filled with the clattering of horses’ hooves, the swish of ladies’ fans and gowns, the shuffle of calling cards, and “the young queen,” Victoria, on the throne. Add illicit love, secret heirs, crumbling dynasties, the struggle of upstairs versus downstairs amid a changing society, and you have a deliciously fun novel by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes. Originally presented as a serial audiobook, the story is expertly narrated by Stevenson, who paces it expertly in her highly listenable voice. Her delicious characterizations include some aggrieved and unctuous younger sons, a breathtakingly crisp countess, a good-hearted hero, a spirited heroine, shiver-inducing cardsharps, and oh so many more. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2016]