What Child Is This Audiobook By Rhys Bowen cover art

What Child Is This

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What Child Is This

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
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About this listen

Christmas during World War II is a time for small miracles in this bittersweet short story by the New York Times best-selling author of The Tuscan Child and In Farleigh Field.

Jack and Maggie Harris are adrift on ravaged streets during the London Blitz. Their home is gone. They have nowhere to go and nothing left to lose. With only the memories of their greatest loss - the death of their child during a Christmas years before - Jack and Maggie settle in a seemingly deserted mansion for the night.

Inside they find shelter, warmth, and a bit of cheer. They also discover a surprise. Now, in the darkest of times, the unexpected compassion of strangers will make this Christmas one to remember forever.

©2018 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2019 Audible, Inc.
20th Century Anthologies & Short Stories Cozy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Holidays Literary Fiction Mystery Short Stories Women's Fiction Winter Christmas Feel-Good Heartfelt
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Heartwarming Tale • Sweet Story • Excellent Narration • Historical Accuracy • Emotional Depth • Cozy Atmosphere
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Loved the story, this is an excellent novel. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the novel to life! It ends way to soon though!

Great story!

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This is a lovely short story with several quite intense themes. Yes it is wartime, but what an incredible foil to show us just how special are some of these events- perhaps they are even Christmas miracles? The resolutions to serious problems feel truly miraculous amidst the bombing of London. Upon reading other reviews, I think not everyone perceives this. I found the ending tight, wrapping this remarkable tale up in a Christmas bow, leaving us on a hopeful note as we witness remarkable community and kindness. Just remember this is a short story, not a novel.

Short. Intense. Sweet.

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I was really into the story and it was making me thankful for all I have this Christmas season. It was the blitz in WWII London. Husband works at docks and is a bit of a hustler. Wife the straight and narrow but unhappy w/liver and onions for Xmas dinner. Then they lose even that. Houses on either side are hit with incendiaries and they have to run -- with just the clothes on their backs. She's still in her house slippers. He'd just gotten paid but the money is upstairs in their bedroom. They go to a shelter but she can's stand being underground... the fear, the smells. She runs and jumps on a train. They have next to no money... She sits on a park bench and refuses to leave it. He goes looking. And comes back with a place for them - a big beautiful empty house. Well, almost empty. They find a little boy - whose Mom went out to buy a Christmas tree and never came back. It's good, good, good & then ENDS so abruptly I wasn't ready....

Abrupt ending threw me

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I loved this sweet story. I fell in love with the Characters, especially Maggie. I hope one day this story can be continued, even if it’s still a short one.

Sweet story

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Rhys Bowen is a favorite of mine. She captures the essence of moments in unassuming descriptions of both place and reactions.
It’s WWII in London and the blitz is daunting. Houses are destroyed, lives are lost, but it’s Christmas and hearts need mending. A lost couple and an child of war.

WWII, Christmas and bombs everywhere

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Heartwarming tale even in the midst of so much physical & emotional pain of a horrible war.

Heartwarming

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This is a wonderful short story about Christmas in England during World War II. I was enjoying it so much, I wish the author would add a few more chapters, and perhaps turn it into a full-size book.

A lovely Christmas story!

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Short little story. This is the second book I've read from this author and I have enjoyed both.

Short story

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What a lovely story. We can’t imagine what Christmas must have been like during the blitz in London. Here we find bravery and kindness. Enjoyed it as a short story.

Just Right for Christmas

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A brief glimpse into the challenging circumstances faced by brave people in the 2nd WW . Wished for a longer read!

So Many Questions!

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