Preview
  • The Hard Way Home

  • The Star and the Shamrock, Book 3
  • By: Jean Grainger
  • Narrated by: Siobhan Waring
  • Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (800 ratings)

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The Hard Way Home

By: Jean Grainger
Narrated by: Siobhan Waring
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Publisher's summary

Dublin 1950

Liesl Bannon has never felt like she was truly at home anywhere, not since her mother placed her and her brother Erich on the last Kindertransport out of Berlin in 1939. She’d been so much more fortunate than most Jews, saved from the horrors of the Nazi regime. Being adopted by Elizabeth and Daniel Lieber meant she and Erich spent the war in Northern Ireland, safe and loved, but Liesl always knew something was missing.

When an opportunity to return to Berlin to represent her university presents itself, she is so torn. Should she go back to the city that rejected her and her family, would it be too harrowing, or would it feel like home?

In Berlin, a chance encounter with an old family friend sparked emotions for Liesl that she’d suppressed since she was a child. She finds herself desperately wanting to go back to those carefree days before Hitler, when life made sense, but why was her family so set against her return? Was it because they were worried about her as they claimed, or was there a darker, more sinister reason?

The Hard Way Home is the heart wrenching third book in the best-selling Star and the Shamrock series.

©2022 Gold Harp Media (P)2023 Jean Grainger
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What listeners say about The Hard Way Home

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A fascinating story

I have been immersed in this fascinating and informative story. It has made me aware of the challenges faced by German Jews and how some survived by strength and “the kindness of strangers”.

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Five Star Plus

I don’t think I’ll ever forget this series. I loved hearing about people helping others & daring to do the right thing! Thank you so much for the hours of excellent entertainment.

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Can’t wait for the next!

I enjoyed this book which is the third in a series of four, just as much the first two. Onto the fourth.

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Anti-semitism In Ireland

This is a great 3rd book of a series. Liesl finds first love in college, but is devastated by his family’s anti-semitism and his lack of support. She travels to Berlin for a debate competition and discovers a childhood friend. The story is full of grown-up choices of finding who you really are and where home is found. Full of love and support. While listening, tears streamed down my face as we flew home fro NY.

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Book 3

This was my least favorite of the theee books. The story line was just okay not as interesting as the first two were.
The narrator was great.
All our favorite characters were back. If you stop at book two you won’t miss anything. Good not great.

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Best Historical Fiction writer

Jean Grainger always brings alive the most interesting characters and brings you back in time to places the reader may never have been to or know about.Loved this series

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I absolutely loved this book

This is my third book by this author and she never fails to make my heart happy that I found her books. She an amazing writer and I can't wait to start the fourth book in this series.

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Excellent narration

Great story and excellent series. I learned so much from these stories. The narrator is fantastic!

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What a great surprise

I didn't know this author before listening, but am now hooked! I have close Irish relatives in Northern Ireland and a deep interest in history, so the narrators's Irish accent immediately drew me in to listen. The story just got better and better with each chapter. Grainger captured the human struggles and joys that survivors of Hitler's horrific regime and WWII. Loved this book!

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Captivating and Well-written!

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the story of Erich and Liesl Bannon, and I look forward to reading Book #4, "World Starts Anew", the continuation of the story of Erich and Leisl into adulthood! As far as the story itself, Jean Grainger truly brings everything full circle, and captivates you with just the right amounts of drama, suspense, and romance.

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