Beyond the Shadow of Night

By: Ray Kingfisher

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur, Brittany Wilkerson

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

In this epic tale of friendship and loss from the author of The Sugar Men, fate pushes childhood friends to opposite sides of a terrible war - but is forgiveness always possible?

Ukraine, 1923. On a small farm, two boys are born within days of each other, both Ukrainian, one Jewish. Mykhail and Asher grow up inseparable, together finding friendship, adventure and escape from the harshness of Russian rule. But after Asher’s family flees to Warsaw, their worlds are torn to shreds by the Second World War.

The war brings cruelty to both boys. Although Asher finds love in Warsaw, the city is far from the haven his family sought; meanwhile Mykhail becomes a victim of the bitter struggle for Ukraine. But worse follows, in the shape of the Treblinka death camp. There, both men must obey orders, and both find their morals compromised and their souls tortured. 

The inhuman horrors they witness cast long shadows. Many years later, their paths cross once more, and each man must confront the legacy of his actions. When the darkest of secrets can no longer be kept hidden, can their friendship survive the final reckoning? 

©2019 Ray Kingfisher. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Brothers in All But Blood

This story of two boys growing up together in the Ukraine in the 1920s is one of love, sacrifice and sadness. Asher is Jewish and Mykhail is not, but their families share everything including the farm that both families work together. As the birth pains begin that move the country closer to the second world war, Asher’s family flees to Warsaw, Poland, while Mykhail’s remain in the Ukraine. But neither family will ultimately escape the horrible wages of the war, with both Asher and Mykhail ending up in Treblinka death camp, although they never met there. Only following orders, which they both abhorred, and reaping the years of nightmares which followed them after the war. The innocence of their boyhood in the Ukraine never forgotten yet like a different lifetime ago, both men attempt to forge a future for themselves. A chance circumstance bringing them back together in the 1990s and a final rehashing of the past bring this dynamic book to its conclusion. Excellent story of a side of WWII that involves places I’d not listened to/read about before.

I've read better...

I listen to a lot of books set during WWII, and this was pretty average for me. The narrator was good, but the story was just OK.

absolutely insulting and reductive in its ignorance; publishers should be ashamed

Mad at myself for contributing in any way to this book which has all the nuance and writing skill of a middle schooler, and somehow shows even less appreciation for accuracy, human nature, or decency. Publishers willing to print this kind of superficial, insensitive junk ought to be ashamed no matter the paycheck. This attempt at historical fiction is not only irresponsible and shameful, it’s beyond unworthy of the topics it pretends to deal with.

Terrific

I went back and forth between the Kindle version and Audible and the story came alive. Wonderfully written and wonderfully performed, this experience will be with me for a long time.

no regrets, but....

I really enjoyed this audio book, and narration was good. However, after reading several other books from the time period, this story is very similar. Also there are many times when dialogue is very predictable, they summarize information that doesn't read to be rehashed, etc. It doesn't happen a lot, but that's why a 4/5- not a great piece of literature, but entertaining.

Great Book

I Had ancestors who were in prison camps. My Father was also a prisoner of war

A story of the horror of ww2

Have now read this book twice. Two young boys who grew up together and the war tore them apart. kingfisher can tell a story. I keep wanting to read more

Exceptional book

This is one of the very best books I have listened to on Audible. Very well developed characters and story, not predictable or simplistic. Well done!

Loved it!

The beginning was a little slow but within the hour picked up. The unexpected ending was amazing.

Yet another WWII story.

This story started out a little typical of all WW II stories, but ended up having a different twist that had not entered my thoughts before. I rather appreciate the added insight.

Great Audio

I really enjoyed the audio The beginning of the story was good It was very dark in the narrative of concentration camp I had to skip chapters I found the ending frustrating the fact one of the characters was considered a war criminal Extremely damaged but surely not perpetuater