The Lost Wife

A Novel

By: Alyson Richman

Narrated by: George Guidall, Suzanne Toren

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there's an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers. Providence is giving Lenka and Josef one more chance. From the glamorous ease of life in Prague before the Occupation, to the horrors of Nazi Europe, The Lost Wife explores the power of first love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the strength of memory.

©2011 Alyson Richman (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

It felt like I was there

I have no words to express the emotion that this book awakened on me. It pulled me in from the very beginning, I wanted to know what fate has prepared for each of the characters and I really wanted their safety! I usually listen to books when I'm running, in this book I often had to stop to cry a little. Beautiful, exciting! I was delighted with the performance of the narrators, I felt like I was one of the characters in the book. I was wrong when I thought I knew a lot about the Second World War, this book taught me new things like, for example, the importance of art in the concentration camps to spread what was happening with the jews.

Good read

The narrator was a little pathetic at doing a male voice but overall did a good job. The story itself kept my attention and I couldn't wait for the book to reach the climax... Unfortunately, I found the ending lacking and disappointing. Kind of like when you work hard on something and then just quit at the end instead of finishing strong.

Unforgetable Love Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lost Wife to be better than the print version?

Definitely. The narrators were wonderful choices for the characters, depicting the dreams and fears and memories of two people who survived war and love and loss long ago, their marriages to each other and others, the longing... I can't even begin to describe how thrilled I am with these narrator choices.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Wife?

The depiction of the concentration camps and some of the resistance work... the deprivation... it is not happy reading, but it is unforgetable.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall and Suzanne Toren ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, both... and this one shines above them all.

Any additional comments?

This is not an easy read... depicting with an artist's precision the love and loss and anger and pain experienced by the main characters. I purchased this book on sale, but it would be well worth the credit.
This is not just a love story, but a story of war, of family, of unforgetable tenderness.

So much more than a love story

Such an nuanced portrayal of the lives of two Jewish people who meet and marry in Czechoslovakia just before Hitlers invasion. They are separated and one goes to the US and one remains and is interred in a concentration camp. The stories are based on stories of real people. The description and the performance are so nuanced that I felt I could see the people in the environment. Read it. It is overwhelming at times but also gives hope.

Great reminder of WWII Atrocities

If you could sum up The Lost Wife in three words, what would they be?

Very memorable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Wife?

When Lannie finally meets her first husband.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall and Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

I cannot choose one. They were all well performed.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You will never forget this story.

Love story

I enjoyed the story with the many historic elements included about the Holocaust. I could have lived without the sappy love stuff but overall I enjoyed it.

A gripping story mixed w/ true historical events!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this story to those that are curious about the true but devastating history of the Holocaust and how Jewish people were treated in the camps, as the author paints a very vivid depiction of what the main characters endure on a daily basis. The main characters tell their story of love, loss, family, and close friendships during the most horrific time of their lives.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lenka is my favorite character for her strength, endurance and determination, struggling and surviving through the Holocaust.

What about George Guidall and Suzanne Toren ’s performance did you like?

First of all I love that there are two different narrators, one for Josef and one for Lenka. I could hear the emotions in their voices.

If you could rename The Lost Wife, what would you call it?

I can't think of a title to rename it to, but maybe to add Terezin or World War II something like The Lost Wife of Terezin.

Any additional comments?

I love this book!!!

Mildly Disappointed

Ok, it was a pretty good book, but not what I was lead to believe by the Audible blurb. Reading the synopsis, I expected a story that would be new, covering a subject not touched on before. I wanted to know what would transpire between these lovers after not just 60 years apart, but also having believed each other dead all that time. I wanted to know what they might say, what they might do, how they might feel, and what action they might yet take. The book did not deliver on any of this.

Instead it was yet another story of the horrors of that terrible time. Yes, it is a story that needs to be told and never forgotten but Lenca's exhaustive artistic descriptions became tiresome at times. Joseph's telling was much more heartfelt to me, though Richman did have him running on occasionally, too.

Considering the book as written, yes, it probably ended appropriately, but it ended where I wanted it to begin. I wanted what the Audible blurb promised.

One of the most beautiful stories

What made the experience of listening to The Lost Wife the most enjoyable?

Everything about this book is beautiful. The story, the narration- did not want it to end.

Any additional comments?

The only thing I was disappointed about was that I wanted to know more and the book just ended. Maybe there will be sequel?

Life Defined by Art

I enjoyed this story. I particularly recommend it for someone with even a small interest in art because the main character, Lenka, describes her life in art terminology. She adds brush strokes to her love for her husband, for example.

It is also a powerful tale of the Holocaust and the inexplicable ability of love to survive in such an evil, painful, sad and scary place.

Both narrators were excellent.