White Gardenia

By: Belinda Alexandra

Narrated by: Deidre Rubenstein

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of Paullina Simons comes an unforgettable story of a mother and daughter from a remarkable new writer. Beginning in a small village under Japanese occupation on the Chinese-Russian border in the final days of World War II, White Gardenia tells the story of a Russian mother and daughter separated by war. From the glamorous nightclubs of Shanghai to the harshness of the Siberian wasteland, from a desolate island in the South China Sea and to a new life in post-war Australia, and finally to Cold War Moscow, White Gardenia sweeps across cultures and continents.

©2002 Belinda Alexandra (P)2003 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Deidre Rubenstein's well-modulated contralto voice brings empathy and compassion to Alexandra's first novel....Powerful dramatization." (AudioFile)

Ok but abrupt end

The book is just like a narrative of Russian emigre. Plot is not as complicated as the Tuscan Rose

Amazing Journey

I especially enjoyed the amazing vocal acting in this blended story of romance, suspense, humor, personal loss and redemption. What a cast of characters elicited by one voice!

Unexpectedly the best book I’ve read all year…

I’ll admit I didn’t read the description before jumping into this. I picked it because I like the author so I knew it would be good. I had no idea it would pull me in within seconds of starting. I couldn’t put it down. The journey I went on was gritty and heartbreaking while reminding me of the power of human tenacity and will to live. This is a story not just about the protagonist’s journey through displacement but easily about the millions of people who have faced these struggles as a result of war, the whole world over.

I wonder if I’ll find another book I loved as much as this one…

horrible music accompaniment

music accompaniment completely out of place, unpleasant and disruptive. at the end you cannot hear the narrator because music is too loud.

Good story, annoying recording breaks

I enjoyed the story, and hearing more about the Australian-Russian connection. Unfortunately the recording is broken into hour long 'chapters' instead of the written chapter breaks. Each hour long 'chapter' has a musical fade out which disrupts the narration and flow of the book, very poorly done and creates a break in the flow.

Very Enjoyable

This is the first Belinda Alexander book that I have read. The story is great and I could not put it down.
The narrater was very good. I was very sorry to get to the end.

Ana, grow up

What did you like best about White Gardenia? What did you like least?

Liked this part of history which I had never read about before and it helped me understand what the world was like at that time. I like the characters but did not like how emotionally immature Ana was through out the book. I think t he author repeatedly went overboard on Ana's crying and inability to adapt to changes. I would have liked to read the book with Ana as a stronger character.

What other book might you compare White Gardenia to and why?

Very similar to her other books Wild Lavender and Silver Wattle.

What about Deidre Rubenstein???s performance did you like?

Very good and excellent accents.

Do you think White Gardenia needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Would be nice to see Ana grown up in the years of raising her daughter and helping an elderly Mother. Also to develope her relationships with her husband and friends. Plus to see the history unfold as to these years in Australia.

Any additional comments?

I did like the books and would recommend it but only to women.....a man wouldn't like all the crying in Ana's character.

Thoroughly enjoyed **CONTAINS SPOILERS**

Would you listen to White Gardenia again? Why?

I probably wouldn't listen to White Gardenia again. The story was so heavy with details, it's difficult to forget the plot line and the things that happened.

What was one of the most memorable moments of White Gardenia?

There were several memorable moments, but the most memorable was actually when her husband left her, the SECOND time. I was actually blown away!! When it was about to happen, I remember thinking, 'he didn't leave her again...noooooo.' And then he did!!!!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Anya and Demitri learned to dance together. It was beautifully written, and I actually looked up on YouTube to see the actual dance since I couldn't picture it completely in my head.

Who was the most memorable character of White Gardenia and why?

I don't if there was a more memorable character than Anya herself.

Any additional comments?

I would definitely recommend this book. It doesn't always go in the direction you think it's going to, which is what one wants out of a book. I would say to be prepared to go on Anya's emotional roller coaster. She experiences many tragic and terrible things, and doesn't learn to cope with them in a healthy way, which explains her odd behavior in certain situations.

~Review written by Ray's Wife :)

Very enjoyable!

I loved the characters the author drew and they became entirely believable! The story was long, intense and gripped my attention all the way through! I highly recommend this novel!

GREAT

Belinda Alexandra has never failed to write an outstanding novel. this one, too, doesn't disappoint.