Nocturne

I can't decide if I like the book or not because the narrator is horrible. The first part of the book is riddled with overwrought, irritating exclamations - where was the director? I have gritted my teeth and suffered through Part 1 as I've already trashed two books recently that the narrator ruined for me. In future, I will make a practice of listening to a sample before I buy - good narration is paramount for a successful listening experience.

This book had passages of gritty realism and unbelievable coincidences. The descriptions of the Warsaw ghetto, the freedom fighters, the blood in the streets made me cringe with their realism. The passages of romance were more soap opera than my taste, but also captured realistically the maturing of a young girl, so I can't fault that.

Coincidences abound, but provide hope in the midst of a novel detailing one of the most painful periods and locales the world has known in the last century.

The narrator had a good voice and projected feeling - sometimes overly so - into her depictions of shock and panic.

This book is worth the read, due to its insider view of Warsaw during the war, as well as the pain of Poles abroad who felt neglected by the allies. The romance is, for the most part, juvenile, but may just be because one of the main characters is a teenager during this book.

Cautious recommendation.