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Karolina's Twins  By  cover art

Karolina's Twins

By: Ronald H. Balson
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
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Publisher's summary

In the tradition of The Nightingale, Sarah's Key, and Lilac Girls, comes a saga inspired by true events of a Holocaust survivor’s quest to return to Poland and fulfill a promise, from Ronald H. Balson, author of the international bestseller Once We Were Brothers.

“Readers who crave more books like Balson’s Once We Were Brothers and Kristin Hannah’s bestselling The Nightingale will be enthralled by Karolina’s Twins.” —Booklist (starred review)

She made a promise in desperation
Now it's time to keep it

Lena Woodward, elegant and poised, has lived a comfortable life among Chicago Society since she immigrated to the US and began a new life at the end of World War II. But now something has resurfaced that Lena cannot ignore: an unfulfilled promise she made long ago that can no longer stay buried.

Driven to renew the quest that still keeps her awake at night, Lena enlists the help of lawyer Catherine Lockhart and private investigator Liam Taggart. Behind Lena’s stoic facade are memories that will no longer be contained. She begins to recount a tale, harkening back to her harrowing past in Nazi-occupied Poland, of the bond she shared with her childhood friend Karolina. Karolina was vivacious and beautiful, athletic and charismatic, and Lena has cherished the memory of their friendship her whole life. But there is something about the story that is unfinished, questions that must be answered about what is true and what is not, and what Lena is willing to risk to uncover the past. Has the real story been hidden these many years? And if so, why?

Two girls, coming of age in a dangerous time, bearers of secrets that only they could share.

Just when you think there could not be anything new to ferret out from World War II comes Karolina's Twins, a spellbinding new novel by the bestselling author of Once We Were Brothers and Saving Sophie. In this richly woven tale of love, survival and resilience during some of the darkest hours, the unbreakable bond between girlhood friends will have consequences into the future and beyond.

©2016 Ronald H. Balson (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Readers who crave more books like Balson’s Once We Were Brothers (2013) and Kristin Hannah’s bestselling The Nightingale (2015) will be enthralled by Karolina’s Twins.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A heartbreaking tale of a mother’s love, friendship, and family in the face of increasingly brutal conditions and the constant threat of imminent death in Nazi-occupied Poland…reminiscent of the author’s first novel Once We Were Brotherscompelling.” —Library Journal

“The third in Balson’s promising series about a husband-and-wife investigation team specializing in Holocaust cases. [Lena Woodward’s] survivor account becomes the main source of suspense, since she is reluctant to reveal the full horror of what she experienced until the end…and [it] does not disappoint.” —Kirkus

What listeners say about Karolina's Twins

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Impeccable writing and superlative narration make this book a winner

This is a heartbreaking account of a woman's search, more than 70 years later, for the twin baby girls thrown by their mother and her best friend out of a transport train headed to Auschwitz as the only means of saving the infants ' lives. It takes us from pre-war Poland to the horrors of the Jewish ghettos, the labour camps, the death camps and on to the March of Death.

On our journey, we find compassion and heroism but also betrayals in unexpected places.

It is a testament to the resilience and courage of ordinary people trapped in extraordinary circumstances and their determination to survive and rebuild broken spirits, lives and communities.

One of my best listens ever.

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23 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fabulous!! A must read, especially for anyone personally touched by the Holocaust. Heart wrenching traumas told beautifully.

Listening to Lena's very moving story gave me some insight into what my mother might have endured but was unable to share with me. Thank you for that gift!!

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Story and Storytelling

Read the author's first book Once We Were Brothers, and although it is still my fave, I really enjoyed this one as well, and will certainly recommend it to friends. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing what to expect. I loved the twist at the end. As for the narrator, she did an incredible job performing all of the characters, with distinct voices for each.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I couldn't stop listening

I loved this book. I loved the story and the narrator. I couldn't stop listening.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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WOW!! Where did all the time go??? GREAT BOOK!!!

I started listing to this audible book one afternoon and before I knew it it was already midnight. It is such a well written, and well narrated story, that you just want to find out what's going to happen next. There was a lot of historical information in it also. I will look forward to listening to this story again, and recommend it to my friends as well. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to! And all the work you put into this book.

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9 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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having trouble with this one...

I normally love WWII novels. the portion of this book told by Lena is captivating, and if it were only that I'd give this book 4-5 stars. Liam and Cat are just the worst, though. they are so flat and so annoying. the narrator is awful, though I can't tell if that's her fault or if it's because she's not given much to work with. seriously. I cannot stress enough how much Cat and Liam ruin this book.

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8 people found this helpful

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Thought provoking

One of the best books of 2016! If you loved All of the light you cannot see or The Nightingale, you will surely not be disappointed! Rarely does a book move me to tears but this one made me stop and take a break more than a few times.

Narration could not have been any better! a truly amazing book.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Kudos to Balson!

Don't miss this Book! Karolina's Twins is no
Less than a masterpiece. It is a story which weaves history and the triumph of the human spirit into a beautiful tapestry of survival.
Balson's characters will remain in your memory
Long after you finish the book. Love and commitment triumph over the ugliness of
Prejudice and hate.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Shame vs. Love: Struggle to fulfill a promise

This book could be called "Karolina's Choice" following in the shadow of William Styron's wonderful book about a mother's painful decision as a POW in a Nazi concentration camp. (No spoiler here: The choice is not the same choice, and the outcome is not the same.)

Beautifully narrated, I could absolutely see the main character - Lena - as she talked quietly with her attorney and investigator, slowly unwinding the story of her friends' twins. Her Polish accent was superb, consistent and age-appropriate.

The threat of a lawsuit, the rift deepening in Lena's family, and the fear of exposing the shameful truth all combine to create some tension and mystery.

I enjoyed this book very much, although I thought the ending was too neat.

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5 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Corny

The writing was just to corny. To many cliches, to much sappy husband wife relationship, just to much sap. I really wanted to like this book. Just couldn't get myself to finish it.

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4 people found this helpful