The Opera Sisters

By: Marianne Monson

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on the true story of the Cook sisters, who smuggled valuables out of 1930s Nazi Germany to finance a daring, secret operation to help Jews find hope for a new life in England

British sisters Ida and Louise Cook enjoy their quiet, unassuming lives in south London. Ida writes romance novels, and Louise works as a secretary. In the evenings, the sisters indulge in their shared love for opera, saving their money to buy records and attend performances throughout England and Europe, becoming well-known by both performers and fellow opera lovers.

But when Hitler seizes power in 1933, he begins targeting and persecuting German Jews, passing laws that restrict their rights and their lives. The sisters continue their trips to the German opera houses, but soon, Jewish members of the opera community covertly approach the sisters, worried that they will be stripped of their wealth and forced to leave their homes and the country. Danger looms on the horizon, threatening to spill across all of Europe’s borders.

Ida and Louise vow to help, but how can two ordinary working-class women with limited means make a difference?

Together with their beloved opera community, the sisters devise a plan to personally escort Jewish refugees from Germany to England. The success of the plan hinges on Ida and Louise’s ability to smuggle contraband jewelry and furs beneath the watchful eyes of the SS soldiers guarding various checkpoints. But how many trips can they make before someone blows a whistle? Or before the final curtain falls on Germany’s borders?

The Opera Sisters is a riveting and inspiring novel of two unlikely heroines whose courage and compassion gave hope to many Jews desperate to escape Nazi persecution.

©2022 Marianne Monson (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Remarkable story

This is a story that is well worth the read. You learn a lot about the war and about the goodness in humanity.

Engaging, edifying, and heart wrenching

I don't even know where to start. This book has left me a better, more informed, more compassionate person. The story was beautifully written.

Story line

It took a moment to get past the readers slow candor and character development of the 2 main characters but then it became engaging and enthralling.

Amazing Story

Wishing I would have been so brave as these sisters. Churchhill really helped the English people survive this war with his speeches and gave them Hope they could and would win the war and freedom.

Beautiful story of courageous sisters

What a touching story. Based on real events, this book follows the Cook sisters, Ida and Louise, who experience the events leading up to WWII. They come from a working background and find their passion for opera opens a window to saving those they meet from the terrors of the Nazi uprising. I loved learning about opera and about the fairly unknown efforts of ordinary people who despite all odds, sacrificed in courageous ways to rescue others in the direst of straits. I was surprised at the number of times I felt tears come to my eyes while reading this. The writing leaps of the page and creates vivid images that will keep you entranced. This is a beautiful book and will be sharing it with all my friends.

Great historical depth

Just an unbelievably amazing story of heroism by doing what’s right. This is a Great look at the war through so many perspectives.