The Lost Wife

A Novel

By: Alyson Richman

Narrated by: George Guidall, Suzanne Toren

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there's an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers. Providence is giving Lenka and Josef one more chance. From the glamorous ease of life in Prague before the Occupation, to the horrors of Nazi Europe, The Lost Wife explores the power of first love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the strength of memory.

©2011 Alyson Richman (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Beautiful Story

I've read/listened to a lot of holocaust stories, and while it is always excruciating to bear witness to such suffering and evil, I am always amazed and the resiliency of the human spirit. This narrative had an especially hopeful tone. If I have a criticism of the author it is just that I wanted "more". More time with the characters, more time in the epilogue scene... more insights in to what makes people survive overwhelming loss and cruelty.

Lost and Found Revisited

This novel is based on actual events. The Holocaust provides the background to this story and it shows how so many millions of people were affected and those effects still condition our society today. I am sure that this story was repeated time and again as victims of the Nazis tried to reconnect to family members who were lost in chaos upon chaos at the end of the war and the following years. One thing that this novel has in it is art and how it was used as a weapon against the Nazis. If you are an artist or appreciate art and art history, this book provides an alternate path of interest for you other than the plot. I enjoyed this book as it reveals how our shared humanity forms a true bond with every person on the planet. There are two main characters who tell the story and the publisher wisely chose to use a male narrator for the man and a female narrator for the woman. This really aids in clarity to an audible book. If you're interested in the Holocaust and another "branch" of it, then this is a good book for you. I certainly enjoyed it.

WWII weaving life & love through time

I spent my fair share of time reading about Germany during WWII, Hitler, the Third Reich and concentration camps so I found this to be a touching love story with a bittersweet ending. I think of Hitler as a freak of nature, what else could explain the horrors he promoted and sanctioned. But the camp in this story was new to me and inspirational as only the desperation for life and creativity we employ to cling to it can be.

Not a story for the anti-Semitic but otherwise I think well worth the listen and one I will revisit in time.

EXCELLANT, MOVING, SO WONDERFUL!!

The narration couldn't be better and made this wonderful story so much more emotional.
It's a must listen. Sit back and enjoy. And yes, I couldn't put this aside for very long. I finished this in just a few days.

Moving on many levels.

What made the experience of listening to The Lost Wife the most enjoyable?

The stories within the story were able to pull you deeper and deeper. The struggles and the power we find within ourselves to survive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Wife?

The charcoal sketch of the child and mother at birth and the color to give it life with the only color she had, a drop of her blood. That was a powerful moment which screamed out the horror and one simple beauty of everything around them.

Beautifully written, well-told story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. The characters are well defined and the story is compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Wife?

Well, the ending, of course!

What does George Guidall and Suzanne Toren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They are both expert narrators and truly brought these characters to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry. It made me pull over into a parking lot to sit through to the end.

Any additional comments?

One of the best stories of the Holocaust era I've ever read. It doesn't get maudlin or overly illustrative, just depicts a carefully delineated picture of what life was like for the Jews in Terezin.

One of the best books ever!

This book touched me deeply & is one I will always remember ! Once started I was listening every chance... unputdownable!
I enjoyed the alternating chapters describing the main characters lives in different places. The ending did not disappoint! Amazing!

It made me understand survivor guilt.

If you could sum up The Lost Wife in three words, what would they be?

I could not sum up this novel in three words. It was compelling but my thoughts might lead to a need for a spoiler alert.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the inside look at the families' history with the holocaust.

What about George Guidall and Suzanne Toren ’s performance did you like?

The narrators were excellent and I liked that there was both a male and female voice for the main characters.

Who was the most memorable character of The Lost Wife and why?

I suppose Lenka because the story dwells deeply into her life although some decades are glossed over.

Great story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes-- it was a great story that was very enjoyable.

What does George Guidall and Suzanne Toren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

I wish the ending had been a bit less bland.

Excellent

Wonderful narration. A story worth reading. We should never forget less we watch history repeat itself