The Last Year of the War

De: Susan Meissner

Narrado por: Kimberly Farr

Duración: 16 h y 37 m

Resumen del Editor

From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and As Bright as Heaven comes a novel about a German American teenager whose life changes forever when her immigrant family is sent to an internment camp during World War II.

In 1943, Elise Sontag is a typical American teenager from Iowa - aware of the war but distanced from its reach. Then her father, a legal US resident for nearly two decades, is suddenly arrested on suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer. The family is sent to an internment camp in Texas, where, behind the armed guards and barbed wire, Elise feels stripped of everything beloved and familiar, including her own identity.

The only thing that makes the camp bearable is meeting fellow internee Mariko Inoue, a Japanese-American teen from Los Angeles, whose friendship empowers Elise to believe the life she knew before the war will again be hers. Together in the desert wilderness, Elise and Mariko hold tight the dream of being young American women with a future beyond the fences.

But when the Sontag family is exchanged for American prisoners behind enemy lines in Germany, Elise will face head-on the person the war desires to make of her. In that devastating crucible, she must discover if she has the will to rise above prejudice and hatred and reclaim her own destiny, or disappear into the image others have cast upon her.

The Last Year of the War tells a little-known story of World War II with great resonance for our own times and challenges the very notion of who we are when who we’ve always been is called into question.

©2019 Susan Meissner (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Meissner has created a quietly devastating story that shows how fear and hatred during World War II changed (and even ended) the lives of many innocent Americans.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Vivid historical detail and elegant prose bolster this rewarding story of profound friendship, family, fear, and the pain that arose for American-born children of immigrant parents.”—Publishers Weekly

“There's no shortage of books about World War II and internment camps coming out right now, given events in the news over the last year. Meissner's latest novel presents a more interesting, untold account than others.”—Real Simple

Great book!

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first. Once I got past the first few chapters I couldn't stop listening. One of the best books I've listened to in this setting. Loved it!

Heartwarming Historical Fiction

This was one of the best Audible books that I have ever listened to I loved it from the very first minute. The story was touching and the narration was perfect!

Fantastic Historical Fiction!

I wasn’t sure I was going to get through the first few chapters, because there were details th get going. But wow. This really opened my eyes to wha really went on in the internment camps, and what fear can cause a people to behave as they wouldn’t normally. This was a great book.

Beautiful and educational

Loved it!!! Was sorry it ended. Great story line, excellent reader. Characters "rang true". Highly recommend.

Wonderful

The story and performance are wonderful. The journey is well worth the read or listen.

Try this one!

This book is an easy listen. A young woman’s perspective from WWII. I enjoyed it!

The switch between memory and present time is excellent

The way she switches the story from present time to her memory is really great. This is a very intriguing story and I finished it in less than a week because I enjoyed it so much.

WOW!!!!

This book was exceptional. I learned more history that I never knew! This is another I've added to my library from this author. She's quickly becoming one of my favorites!!!

WWII from the eyes of two adolescents in U.S. internment camps!

WWII from the eyes of two adolescents in U.S. internment camps! Within the confines of barbed wired walls, a German-American girl and a Japanese girl. Internment takes its toll on these two girls, creating a friendship that lasted a lifetime. An insightful, historically accurate book from Author Susan Meissner, Great narration. Recommend!

Loved It!

It was a great listen. Not exactly what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.