The Winter Orphans Audiobook By Kristin Beck cover art

The Winter Orphans

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The Winter Orphans

By: Kristin Beck
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
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About this listen

A poignant and ultimately triumphant novel based on the incredible true story of children who braved the formidable danger of guarded, wintry mountain passes in France to escape the Nazis, from the acclaimed author of Courage, My Love.

Southern France, 1942

In a remote corner of France, Jewish refugee Ella Rosenthal has finally found a safe haven. It has been three years since she and her little sister, Hanni, left their parents to flee Nazi Germany, and they have been pursued and adrift in the chaos of war ever since. Now, they shelter among one hundred other young refugees in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross.

Swiss volunteers Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet uphold a common mission: to protect children in peril. Rösli, a stubborn and resourceful nurse, directs the colony of Château de la Hille, and has created a thriving community against all odds. Anne-Marie, raised by Swiss foresters, becomes both caretaker and friend to the children, and she vows to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe.

However, when Germany invades southern France, safeguarding Jewish refugees becomes impossible. Château de la Hille faces unrelenting danger, and Rösli and Anne-Marie realize that the only way to protect the eldest of their charges is to smuggle them out of France. Relying on Rösli's fierce will and Anne-Marie's knowledge of secret mountain paths, they plot escape routes through vast Nazi-occupied territory to the distant border. Amid staggering risk, Ella and Hanni embark on a journey that, if successful, could change the course of their lives and grant them a future.

©2019 Kristin Beck (P)2022 Penguin Audio
20th Century Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Women's Fiction France
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Gripping Story • Superb Narration
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Great ww2 historical fiction.
Different twist that shows the discrepancy of the different countries and of course religions.

WWII about women and children’s

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An amazing story of both tragedy and incredible courage. I can only hope through the telling of these stories that no one ever has to endure anything like this again. Unfortunately war still continues in our world and it’s the innocent that pay the price.

Heartbreaking

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I really enjoyed this story based on true events of Jewish children in Nazi occupied France. The courage displayed by their caretakers & the children themselves was awe inspiring. An excellent book & story!

What a story!

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Liked everything! The courage and hope during the war. The bravery of people, who helped.

Hope

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Wonderful historical novel… superb story and perfectly executed. You care about the characters, who are real humans, not stereotypes. You hold your breath, when they decide to RUN! Amazing story! Brava!

The drama, the plot, the characters! Wow

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This was gripping and heart wrenching, yet the efforts at keeping this fictional story as true to life as possible or not lost. Thank you for bringing this portion of history back to life.

Incredible story

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Perhaps I would have enjoyed reading rather than listening. I do appreciate all I learned, disturbing though it was. Should be required reading for those who do not fear Nazi influence today.

Informative; heartbreaking

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The fact that some of the characters were based on real people was actually heartbreaking and I can’t imagine going through what they
did just to survive.

The plot and the wonderful characters.

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When I couldn’t listen, I couldn’t stop thinking about this story! Thank you for writing it.

Gripping - every minute

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This is not just another WWII story. It is one based on real people and their experiences in saving children. The author’s note at the end was very informative and helpful. Narration was superb.

Tragic and hopeful

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