The Nature of Fragile Things

De: Susan Meissner

Narrado por: Alana Kerr Collins, Jason Culp

April 18, 1906: A massive earthquake rocks San Francisco just before daybreak, igniting a devouring inferno. Lives are lost, lives are shattered, but some rise from the ashes forever changed.

Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin's silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin's odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn't right.

Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved.

The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear.

From the acclaimed author of The Last Year of the War and As Bright as Heaven comes a gripping novel about the bonds of friendship and mother love, and the power of female solidarity.

Praise for The Nature of Fragile Things

“A mysterious web of lies, love, and loss that accelerates toward the inevitable: the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906." (Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names)

“A riveting tale set in 1906 San Francisco. These fascinating characters' hidden pasts and dark secrets collide, entwine, and explode - and that's before the earthquake hits." (Greer Macallister, author of The Magician's Lie and The Arctic Fury)

“In the ashes of San Francisco's greatest tragedy, one remarkable woman finds love, friendship, and the means to rebuild. Historical fiction that reads with the urgency and suspense of a thriller.” (Lauren Willig, New York Times best-selling author of The Summer Country)

“Driven by the unstoppable force of the three intriguing women at its heart, this is a novel to savor, and one to share with all the women in your life whom you admire." (Hazel Gaynor, New York Times best-selling author of When We Were Young & Brave)

©2021 Susan Meissner (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Meissner spins an exceptional story.... Unexpected and masterfully crafted twists and turns abound.... Ingeniously plotted and perfectly structured, this captivates from beginning to end.” (Publisher's Weekly, starred review)

“A terrific tale that takes us on a harrowing cable-car ride through early 20th-century San Francisco, where dark secrets - like the city itself - crack wide open, forcing our world-weary heroine to confront the devastation done by the lies she's been told and by the lies she's still telling.” (Stephanie Dray, author of America’s First Daughter and The Women of Chateau Lafayette)

“A brilliant story of resilience and the power of female friendship." (Marie Benedict, New York Times best-selling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie)

Fantastic Book

This was one of those, " I could not put it down" books. I read the book first, and immediately ordered the Audible version to listen to. The narrator was perfect! I was able to catch things I had missed. on the second time thru. The Earthquake made such an incredible background for the rest of the story to unfold.

Another well done book

Wonderfully written and narrated. Such a great, unpredictable story line that wraps everything up well.

Interesting story and historical settings

I knew almost nothing about the “Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906” so this setting was interesting to me. The story was also interesting and brought me into the culture and events of that era. The narration was excellent. I really enjoyed this book.

Highly recommend

Meissner tells a good story, and this doesn't disappoint. Well written and easy on ear narration, highly recommend using a credit!

A Must Read

When I first heard about this book, I thought it was going to focus solely on the events of the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 and the days following. However the earthquake has a minor role in a much larger story that leaves you questioning if you really know a person. Can't say too much without giving the story away, but I highly recommend you devour this book whether by words or by audio.

Couldn’t put it down!

I was so mesmerized by this book that I listened to it from start to finish with only the interruption of sleep.

Listenable

The story was OK. It was a little overdone at times and the pace was a bit slow. Overall it was absorbing. You quickly identified with the main character and wanted to see the story through to the end.

The performance was good and professional. I heard the lilt or upswing in the narrator’s voice that others have complained of, but it was not very extreme and did not detract from the narration. You have to hand it to anyone who can keep up an accent for over 10 hours of reading.

DEFINITELY WORTH IT

I don't usually leave reviews but both story and the narrator were A-MA-ZING!! I couldn't put it down!

Captivating

I love history and mystery. This book kept my attention 100%. Well written and well read.

A story of intrigue and devastation

Loved the time period and the author did a wonderful job of creating a story line that was intriguing. I never realized how devastating the earthquake was in 1906.