
The Forest of Vanishing Stars
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Kristin Harmel - author's note
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Madeleine Maby
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By:
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Kristin Harmel
About this listen
Parade “Best Books of Summer” pick * Real Simple pick * She Reads “Best WWII Fiction of Summer 2021” pick
The New York Times bestselling author of the “heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism” (People) The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything.
After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.
Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements that made Where the Crawdads Sing a worldwide phenomenon, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author whose writing has been hailed as “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author), “immersive and evocative” (Publishers Weekly), and “gripping” (Tampa Bay Times).
©2021 Kristin Harmel Lietz. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
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"In this compelling coming-of-age story, narrator Madeleine Maby portrays the mysterious Jerusza in a wise and foreboding tone. The intuitive woman kidnaps Yona from Berlin just before her second birthday and raises her in the Naliboki Forest of Poland. Maby's depiction of Yona, initially brimming with curiosity and wonder, evolves to reflect the girl's growth into an increasingly self-assured young woman after Jerusza's death. As WWII approaches, Yona's purpose becomes clear: She is to help the Jews who are hiding in the forest. The author delivers a note on the historical underpinnings of this story at the end of the audiobook. Light, plaintive clarinet music introduces and ends the production." (AudioFile Magazine)
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On October 28, 1940, Mussolini provides Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas with an ultimatum - either allow Axis forces to occupy their country or face war - and Greece’s response is swift: “Oxi!” they say. “No!” In a small village nestled against the radiant waters of the Aegean Sea, Alexei, the son of a local fisherman, and his best friend Costa - who were both born on the same night eighteen years earlier and have been like brothers ever since - leave their homes, like all the other young men in their village and throughout Greece, to bravely fight for their country.
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Great story...
- By E. H. on 12-09-20
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August 1939: London is dismal under the weight of impending war with Germany as Hitler’s forces continue to sweep across Europe. Into this uncertain maelstrom steps Grace Bennett, young and ready for a fresh start in the bustling city streets she’s always dreamed of - and miles away from her troubled past in the countryside. With aspirations of working at a department store, Grace never imagined she’d wind up employed at Primrose Hill, an offbeat bookshop nestled in the heart of the city - after all, she’s never been much of a reader.
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1940: As the Germans advance upon Paris, young seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee everything she's ever known. She's bound for New York City with her signature gold dress, a few francs, and a dream: to make her mark on the world of fashion. Present day: Fabienne Bissette journeys to the Met's annual gala for an exhibit featuring the work of her grandmother - a legend of women's fashion design. But as Fabienne begins to learn more about her beloved grandmother's past, she uncovers a story of tragedy, heartbreak, and family secrets that will dramatically change her own life.
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2017: When Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession, she is determined to find the intended recipient. Her search takes her back to the 1970s when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network in Toronto known only by its whispered code name: Jane.
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What listeners say about The Forest of Vanishing Stars
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- LSchaber
- 04-16-22
Exceptional WWII Novel
I enjoyed every part of this book. Although thecstiry pursues such an evil, tragic time in history, the theme of survival shines through. The author's care to avoid caricatures and make each character come to life is remarkable. She also has made me more deeply consider the length I may go to help others, sacrificing my own needs and wants for their sake. I highly recommend this for your next book!
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- Hope Sherwood
- 01-03-23
A must read
So we’ll written. Allows the reader to be immersed in the middle of the lives of the people doing their best to survive in the most tragic of times.
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- Mamamozzi
- 03-20-23
Amazing story!
The book grabbed me from the beginning, it was incredible! I felt so much for the Characters, it’s a must read!
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- readwithlb
- 03-29-23
Wonderful!
The story and narration are superb. Wonderful illustration of hidden stories and life lessons that come out of WW2.
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-06-23
Captivating: This story should not be over-looked and here’s why:
Did the beginning have magical undertones? Yes. Did the main character seem unbelievable? Yes. But this is a work of fiction. A well-researched one. The magical undertones seem to be from popular children’s fables in the region in order to give the story an anchor in regional culture that is being explored throughout the story.
Therefore, this novel is being overlooked by many.
The writing is purely captivating. It hurts not only when you get your hopes up, but when you fear of getting those hopes up again. That the humanity that we all share, will win out in the end, and then it doesn’t. And that it could happen again, if these stories are not told. When an author goes in for deep-research into a culture as well as brutal events, it is worth a listen.
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- Janine Phelan
- 11-10-23
Loved this story
Sorry as well to hold, and I truly enjoyed it. Very relevant to today’s world.
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- Schai L. Bilger
- 12-11-23
A light in the dark
I truly enjoyed every aspect of this book. It felt real, shocking, and continued to captivate to the end. This story is a testament to survival, being human, and what it means to connect and embrace each other in the dark.
I love a historical fiction that feels well researched and takes care to be as accurate as possible. The authors note was powerful to the true stories of people who survived during this time.
A must read!
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-19-24
Lovely story
A new take on WWII history and Jews who survived in the forests with a wonderful story woven throughout
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- Carrie
- 09-08-21
Wonderful book will read again
Initially I found the book fanciful and the conversations wordy and yet still trite. But that didn’t last long. The book got rolling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will reread it. I will give it as gifts. It’s very informative. Would highly recommend listening to the authors note at the end.
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- Sarah
- 06-18-22
love it!
I love this book so much! it was hard to put down! the characters were my favorite part!
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