The Fountains of Silence Audiobook By Ruta Sepetys cover art

The Fountains of Silence

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Fountains of Silence

By: Ruta Sepetys
Narrated by: Ruta Sepetys, Maite Jáuregui, Richard Ferrone, Neil Hellegers, Joshua Kane, Liza Kaplan, Oliver Wyman
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.75

Buy for $24.75

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary portrait of love, silence, and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship.

Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is 18-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography - and fate - introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War - as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.

Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence - inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain. Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more.

Read by Maite Jáuregui, with Richard Ferrone, Neil Hellegers, Joshua Kane, Liza Kaplan, and Oliver Wyman, and with an author’s note read by the author.

©2019 Ruta Sepetys (P)2019 Listening Library
Family Fiction Historical Historical Fiction History & Culture Young Adult Heartfelt War Romance Spanish History Fiction
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"[Sepetys] tells a moving story made even more powerful by its placement in a lesser-known historical moment. Captivating, deft, and illuminating historical fiction." (Booklist starred review)

"A stunning novel that exposes modern fascism and elevates human resilience." (Kirkus starred review)

"This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain." (Publishers Weekly starred review)

"Spain under Francisco Franco is as dystopian a setting as Margaret Atwood’s Gilead in Ruta Sepetys’ suspenseful, romantic and timely new work of historical fiction.... Like [Shakespeare's family romances], The Fountains of Silence speaks truth to power, persuading future rulers to avoid repeating the crimes of the past." (The New York Times Book Review)

Featured Article: The Best Young Adult Audiobooks to Listen to as a Grown Woman


For some reason, a lot of people equate "growing up" with "growing serious." But while interests may change over time, age does not have to be the deciding factor in what games you play, what movies you watch, or what books you enjoy. The young adult audiobooks on this list are truly timeless: grownup listeners can relate to YA classics in a whole new way or find new favorites among more recent offerings.

What listeners say about The Fountains of Silence

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    815
  • 4 Stars
    252
  • 3 Stars
    86
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    751
  • 4 Stars
    185
  • 3 Stars
    71
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    22
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    745
  • 4 Stars
    210
  • 3 Stars
    62
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Historical Fiction. Great Storytelling.

Very informative. Wonderful characterization by readers.Very enjoyable. Very good reading for teens and adults. Do read it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must read

This book takes us on a beautiful journey. The stories
of the characters are both heart warming and heart breaking. It’s a book that makes you think and captures you early on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Review

Heartbreaking story of life in Spain under Dictator Franco with a great love story interwoven.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book

I love this book and the story. I also love how Ruta Sepetys always has a love story in the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Human complex story intertwines in history

I learned a lot from this book while enjoying a romantic story at the same time. It is a bit idealistic the way characters behave, It is still a very fun reading

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Human tragedy in Spain's history

Another revealing story of human suffering under dictatorship. The author's story of baby trafficking during a Franco ruled Spain introduced me to Spanish history I was not aware of. Good historic fiction for all ages.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Poignant history

Who thought that There was more cruelty after Hilter and American Royalty lavished upon it. The fact that Spanish people lost their lives, babies lands that were then sold to America is astounding. A good read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I learned a lot! Beautifully written.

My Spanish teacher recommended this book. I loved the book, but hated the pain of the families.

Mi professora de español sugirió este libro. Me encantó el libro, pero odiaba el dolor de las familias.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Spanish Insight

I have been interested in Spain ever since a visit some twenty years ago. On that visit I discovered a fascinating country but it was difficult to understand. I have read books written describing the war but this book provides the insight into the people and a look at conditions after the war. I hope to find other authors who continue in the excellent fashion Ms. Sepetys as bought to this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

happy to find this book!

Wonderful novel! I learned so much from this book and it intrigues me to learn more about Spain. the characters were well developed and touched my heart.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!