Dunia

A Garden in the Gulag

De: Gillian Caldwell

Narrado por: Gillian Wiggin

An evocative debut novel of historical fiction, set in the heart of Ukraine, and ultimately spanning to the frozen reaches of Siberia.

Our story begins 1904 with Dunia, a nine year old girl growing up in the idyllic village of Kobeliaky, Ukraine, where her family lives off the land, cultivating crops, raising sheep, and weaving exquisite carpets. Life flows in harmony with the seasons, offering a sense of peace and purpose. Dunia marries and starts her own family, but the tides of history bring devastating change. When Stalin rises to power, the regime’s collective farming policies seize the land and uproot the people. Dunia’s unwavering religious beliefs lead to her arrest and exile to the Siberian gulags.

In the face of unthinkable loss and relentless hardship, Dunia’s faith becomes her anchor. Transforming through her experiences, she discovers unexpected grace and strength in the bleakest circumstances. Her journey is one of resilience and survival, but also of spiritual evolution, as she learns to let go and embrace the unexpected in her path to survival and renewal.

Dunia: A Garden in the Gulag is a heartfelt tribute to the power of faith, the endurance of the human spirit, and the legacy of family history. It invites listeners into a world shaped by love, loss, and the unyielding determination to thrive against all odds.

©2025 Gillian Caldwell (P)2025 Gillian Caldwell

Finding Light in a Harsh Place

Listening to Dunia: A Garden in the Gulag felt oddly grounding. Caldwell paints this bleak Soviet prison world but threads in these small acts of resilience, like tending a garden, that make the whole thing surprisingly hopeful. The narration is calm and steady, which matches the heavy material without dragging it down. It’s not a quick, light listen, but it’s the kind of book that lingers with you. I liked how it made me slow down and think about what really keeps people going. Recommend.

Incredible scene-setting

Gillian Caldwell is clearly an incredible writer and sets the scene with wonderful wordplay such as, “they decorate the landscape with colors that shift daily.” It really brings the listener’s mind into the environment in which the author intended. I really enjoyed chapter 3 “music” when the author discusses a friendship solidified in the joy of working in a garden. The narrator is fantastic and speaks like an expert fiction narrator, changing voices with impeccable timing.

Faith and Strength in Every Chapter

I wasn’t expecting to be this moved. Listening to Dunia’s story—her faith, her family, and her unimaginable trials—hit me in a way I didn’t see coming. The narration brought everything to life, from her peaceful village to the cold harshness of Siberia. What really stayed with me was her resilience—how she never let go of hope or belief even in the darkest moments. It’s not just historical fiction—it’s deeply personal, inspiring, and beautifully written.

Powerful, Poignant, and Unforgettable

This debut novel drew me in from the first chapter and never let go. Dunia’s journey from her peaceful Ukrainian village to the brutal Siberian gulags is heartbreaking yet inspiring. The story beautifully captures resilience, faith, and the strength of the human spirit. A moving listen that lingers long after it ends.

A fam legacy rooted in courage and hope

This is more than a story of history! it’s a story of endurance, faith, and how the human spirit can bloom even in frozen, desolate places. I was struck by how her unwavering belief carried her through unimaginable suffering, reminding me that strength often comes not from control but from surrendering to grace. The way it ties family, faith, and survival together makes it both heartbreaking and inspiring, leaving me reflecting on the legacies we choose to pass on.

A Powerful Story of Faith and Resilience

This audiobook is moving and inspiring. It tells a powerful story of faith, family, and resilience in the face of hardship. The narration brings deep emotion to the journey, making it a heartfelt tribute to strength, love, and the enduring human spirit.

Moving Story

This audiobook really touched me, after listening I just kept thinking about it. Dunia’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it made me think about how I would handle being in her place. What I loved most was how her faith anchored her through everything, from the comfort of her village life to the unimaginable hardship of Siberian exile. Even in the darkest moments, she found strength to keep going. Her journey was about courage, hope, and discovering resilience you don’t know you have until life demands it. She survived, and chose to let it deepen her faith. Listening to her experiences reminded me of how powerful faith can be when everything else feels uncertain. It’s a moving story that will stay with me for a long time.

Moving and thoughtful story

I really connected with this audiobook. The story was powerful and gave a very human perspective on life in such a difficult setting. I appreciated the balance of hardship and resilience, and the way the details brought the experience to life. The narrator’s delivery added a lot of emotion, which made it even more impactful and memorable.

I Couldn't Put It Down

What a thrilling adventure. This story takes you on the journey of a young girl who faces the many struggles of being captured during Stalin's reign. The narrator's voice and tone make you feel like you're right there with her. Each chapter brings new challenges, and she faces them with strength and dignity. Beautifully written and inspiring.

Blooming in Darkness

Dunia: A Garden in the Gulag is a poignant and unforgettable story of survival, courage, and the search for beauty amid despair. Gillian Caldwell paints a vivid portrait of resilience, where a garden becomes more than soil and seed—it becomes a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and proof that the human spirit can endure even in the most brutal of conditions.