What Child Is This

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Gemma Dawson

Length: 1 hr and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Christmas during World War II is a time for small miracles in this bittersweet short story by the New York Times best-selling author of The Tuscan Child and In Farleigh Field.

Jack and Maggie Harris are adrift on ravaged streets during the London Blitz. Their home is gone. They have nowhere to go and nothing left to lose. With only the memories of their greatest loss - the death of their child during a Christmas years before - Jack and Maggie settle in a seemingly deserted mansion for the night.

Inside they find shelter, warmth, and a bit of cheer. They also discover a surprise. Now, in the darkest of times, the unexpected compassion of strangers will make this Christmas one to remember forever.

©2018 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Great story!

Loved the story, this is an excellent novel. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the novel to life! It ends way to soon though!

Short. Intense. Sweet.

This is a lovely short story with several quite intense themes. Yes it is wartime, but what an incredible foil to show us just how special are some of these events- perhaps they are even Christmas miracles? The resolutions to serious problems feel truly miraculous amidst the bombing of London. Upon reading other reviews, I think not everyone perceives this. I found the ending tight, wrapping this remarkable tale up in a Christmas bow, leaving us on a hopeful note as we witness remarkable community and kindness. Just remember this is a short story, not a novel.

Abrupt ending threw me

I was really into the story and it was making me thankful for all I have this Christmas season. It was the blitz in WWII London. Husband works at docks and is a bit of a hustler. Wife the straight and narrow but unhappy w/liver and onions for Xmas dinner. Then they lose even that. Houses on either side are hit with incendiaries and they have to run -- with just the clothes on their backs. She's still in her house slippers. He'd just gotten paid but the money is upstairs in their bedroom. They go to a shelter but she can's stand being underground... the fear, the smells. She runs and jumps on a train. They have next to no money... She sits on a park bench and refuses to leave it. He goes looking. And comes back with a place for them - a big beautiful empty house. Well, almost empty. They find a little boy - whose Mom went out to buy a Christmas tree and never came back. It's good, good, good & then ENDS so abruptly I wasn't ready....

Sweet story

I loved this sweet story. I fell in love with the Characters, especially Maggie. I hope one day this story can be continued, even if it’s still a short one.

WWII, Christmas and bombs everywhere

Rhys Bowen is a favorite of mine. She captures the essence of moments in unassuming descriptions of both place and reactions.
It’s WWII in London and the blitz is daunting. Houses are destroyed, lives are lost, but it’s Christmas and hearts need mending. A lost couple and an child of war.

Heartwarming

Heartwarming tale even in the midst of so much physical & emotional pain of a horrible war.

Entertaining from start to finish

This was a surprisingly great short story by an author I already admire. The fact that Audible produces these mini works of art along with respected writers and then gives them to us for free is amazing. Thank youRhys Bowen and Audible!

What Child Is This?

An enjoyable short story that I would love to have continue, but it said enough. Given the days in which we are living it is beneficial to remember that people before us have endured much worse and survived. Recommend it to all.

All the Christmas Feels

I can’t say enough good things about this adorable short novella. LOVE IT! If you love warm, sweet stories on a cold night, and have a heart in your chest (even a tiny little one made of lead), you’ll love this new classic Christmas story. Thank you to the author who wrote it and the excellent job of the narrator. Simply brilliant!

A short story for the holidays

This is a sweet and engaging short story set in WWII London. I would certainly recommend.