
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden
A Novel
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $15.75
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Justine Eyre
-
By:
-
Helen Grant
Not since The Elegance of the Hedgehog has a book arrived in America from Europe on such wings of critical praise and popularity. The Vanishing of Katharina Linden is an unforgettable debut - at once chilling and endearing, haunting and richly insightful - the story of one girl’s big heart and even bigger imagination, and of a world full of mystery, good, and evil.
It isn’t ten-year-old Pia’s fault that her grandmother dies in a freak accident. But tell that to the citizens of Pia’s little German hometown of Bad Münstereifel, or to the classmates who shun her. The only one who still wants to be her friend is StinkStefan, the most unpopular child in school.
But then something else captures the community’s attention: the vanishing of Katharina Linden. Katharina was last seen on a float in a parade, dressed as Snow White. Then, like a character in a Grimm’s fairy tale, she disappears. But, this being real life, she doesn’t return.
Pia and Stefan suspect that Katharina has been spirited away by the supernatural. Their investigation is inspired by the instructive - and cautionary - local legends told to them by their elderly friend Herr Schiller, tales such as that of Unshockable Hans, visited by witches in the form of cats, or of the knight whose son is doomed to hunt forever.
Then another girl disappears, and Pia is plunged into a new and unnerving place, one far away from fairy tales - and perilously close to adulthood.
Marvelously morbid, stunningly suspenseful, and exceptionally winning, The Vanishing of Katharina Linden is a new coming-of-age classic, and the most accomplished fiction debut in years.
©2010 Helen Grant (P)2010 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
What made the experience of listening to The Vanishing of Katharina Linden the most enjoyable?
I enjoyed the narration. Justine Eyre did an excellent job with the German pronunciation and with voicing the characters. The story was interesting up to a point, but it dragged out a bit and the ending felt too pat and a bit rushed.Would you recommend The Vanishing of Katharina Linden to your friends? Why or why not?
Probably not.Have you listened to any of Justine Eyre’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I would listen to her again. This was the first time I heard her narration.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
It was a quick listen in spite of the slow partsGood performance, ok story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have over 400 audiobooks, and this book easily makes my top 5. Although the main character Pia is young, this is not a children’s novel; however, older children not easily frightened might enjoy it. It has a strong element of mystery and suspense with the missing girls, but that is not necessarily the most significant aspect of the book. While the setting of the book is modern, the village of Bad Münstereifel has a definite touch of the Grimm brothers’ Germany, giving the entire story a bit of the feel of a fairy tale. Adding to this setting are the stories told to Pia by her neighbor. Each of these tales of Unshakable Hans would make a nice story on its own. The background for all of the more unusual occurrences is the story of Pia’s family. Seeing the whole story through Pia's eyes puts the finishing touch on this story.
Adding to this wonderful novel is the narration by Justine Eyre. I almost bought this book in paper, but thought this would be a particularly nice book to have read to me. I am so glad that I made that call. Eyre’s narration is absolutely flawless. Each character is distinct, and her unique voice is perfectly fitted to this book.
If you only get one audiobook this year, I’d recommend The Vanishing of Katherina Linden. If you’re out of credits, I recommend this as a cash-worthy purchase.
The Best of the Best
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great read
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is excellently written, cleverly plotted, richly peopled with detailed characters and just twisted enough to keep you slightly confused, but not frustrated.
absolutely twisted
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
All in all, a bit predictable, but still a good story.
I don't condone slapping children, but girl listen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
hope to read more by Helen Grant
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.