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.

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.

Excellent book

Great book on friendship, family and love. I've read a lot of fiction books about WWII. This is one of my favorites.

Another great book from author

Really enjoyed this book. Parts so tragic and sad Ww2 fiction is my favorite genre. This was fiction but a story played out millions of times in real life for Jews and others deemed by hitler and nazis “not worthy of life”. A story of forgiveness and redemption and you won’t be sorry you read or listened. Great narrations with different accents

Left mecwith goose bumps.

Few books affect me that deeply, but this one certainly did. Whether you're a history buff, or just love a heart wrenching love story, this book is a must read. Any story about the hollicost calls to me. This book not only shows the reader what that horror was like, but what life was like before for the characters. What happened to the survivors? What happened to the perpetrators? Two young boys, who are closer than some brothers, are torn apart by war, reunited by peace. Yet a hidden secret threatens to tear them apart again.

Good story

fisrt audible, really liked, good story, easy to listen to, would recommend to others

A good listen of a terrible time

I enjoyed 98% of the story. The final 2% was a little too tidy, but I forgive the author for wanting to make sure every loose end was wrapped in a bow.

The framework of a daughter's discovery of her father's unknown and unspeakable past created a break from the horrors of WW2 atrocities. The story of Poland is well known, Ukraine less so. I appreciated a different perspective. What does one do when faced with choosing one evil over another? And what are the long-term consequences of those choices?

Something to think about.

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.

Great Book

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

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!

Great Book

couldn't put it down! I reccomend this book. the story is sad ad gripping.