Odessa 1919: Fleeing Ukraine

De: Ronald French

Narrado por: B Fike

A true saga that tells of the flight of Paul, his wife Sophia and two young daughters, Tamara, and Isa from their beautiful Black Sea home in Odesa. He is a wealthy farm-estate owner and holds the sole Mercedes agency for south Russia. The invasion of Russia by Germany in 1914, followed by the Russian revolution in 1919 means they lose everything. In Spring 1919 Lenin announces the Red Terror. This aims at the extermination of all bourgeoisie. Paul and family must flee for their lives. They escape Odesa and, with other family members and refugees, trek from village to village, disguised as peasants, with the CheKa close behind. The CheKa summarily executes Paul's older brother in his cellar as a 'capitalist and landowner.' Tamara and Isa, peeping through window shutters, witness the bloody murder of a Bolshevik requisitioning unit by frustrated villagers, angry at the thieving of their livestock and grain. Paul fights with those villagers in the subsequent battle against the Red reprisal forces sent to exact revenge, to kill and to destroy homes and farms. Both Paul, alone and the family, together face death many times. What subterfuges can they use? Can all escape, and how? As the family runs and hides, there are nostalgic flashbacks by the girls of the happy, peaceful life they once knew.

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©2022 Ronald French (P)2025 Ronald French

Intriguing Historical Storytelling

Paul, his wife Sophia, and their daughters, Tamara and Isa, are forced to flee their prosperous Black Sea home in Odesa after Germany invades Russia in 1914 and the Russian Revolution erupts in 1919. Pursued by the CheKa during Lenin’s Red Terror, they travel disguised as peasants, witnessing violence and fighting for survival while facing constant danger. Amidst their desperate flight, the family clings to memories of their once-peaceful life, navigating deadly threats and uncertain fates at every turn.

The author, Ronald French, masterfully blends historical accuracy with vivid storytelling, capturing the fears and uncertainties of the era with remarkable attention to detail. By seamlessly weaving fiction into real events, the narrative feels both authentic and immersive, transporting the reader fully into the world of the story. Every element—from the setting to the characters’ experiences draws the audience deeper into the unfolding history, making the tale both compelling and believable.

The narrator, B Fike, delivers a strong performance, speaking with clear diction and a steady, engaging cadence that draws the listener in from the start. Fike’s skillful pacing makes tension and fear palpable, while the energy they bring to each moment fully immerses the audience in the story. Every nuance of emotion is conveyed effortlessly, making the listening experience both vivid and compelling.

A great listen for fans of historical fiction.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.