Karolina's Twins

A Novel

By: Ronald H. Balson

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Ronald H. Balson, author of the international best seller Once We Were Brothers, comes a saga inspired by true events of a Holocaust survivor's quest to fulfill a promise, return to Poland, and find two sisters lost during World War II.

©2016 Ronald H. Balson (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Impeccable writing and superlative narration make this book a winner

This is a heartbreaking account of a woman's search, more than 70 years later, for the twin baby girls thrown by their mother and her best friend out of a transport train headed to Auschwitz as the only means of saving the infants ' lives. It takes us from pre-war Poland to the horrors of the Jewish ghettos, the labour camps, the death camps and on to the March of Death.

On our journey, we find compassion and heroism but also betrayals in unexpected places.

It is a testament to the resilience and courage of ordinary people trapped in extraordinary circumstances and their determination to survive and rebuild broken spirits, lives and communities.

One of my best listens ever.

Excellent Story and Storytelling

Read the author's first book Once We Were Brothers, and although it is still my fave, I really enjoyed this one as well, and will certainly recommend it to friends. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing what to expect. I loved the twist at the end. As for the narrator, she did an incredible job performing all of the characters, with distinct voices for each.

I couldn't stop listening

I loved this book. I loved the story and the narrator. I couldn't stop listening.

WOW!! Where did all the time go??? GREAT BOOK!!!

I started listing to this audible book one afternoon and before I knew it it was already midnight. It is such a well written, and well narrated story, that you just want to find out what's going to happen next. There was a lot of historical information in it also. I will look forward to listening to this story again, and recommend it to my friends as well. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to! And all the work you put into this book.

Kudos to Balson!

Don't miss this Book! Karolina's Twins is no
Less than a masterpiece. It is a story which weaves history and the triumph of the human spirit into a beautiful tapestry of survival.
Balson's characters will remain in your memory
Long after you finish the book. Love and commitment triumph over the ugliness of
Prejudice and hate.

Shame vs. Love: Struggle to fulfill a promise

This book could be called "Karolina's Choice" following in the shadow of William Styron's wonderful book about a mother's painful decision as a POW in a Nazi concentration camp. (No spoiler here: The choice is not the same choice, and the outcome is not the same.)

Beautifully narrated, I could absolutely see the main character - Lena - as she talked quietly with her attorney and investigator, slowly unwinding the story of her friends' twins. Her Polish accent was superb, consistent and age-appropriate.

The threat of a lawsuit, the rift deepening in Lena's family, and the fear of exposing the shameful truth all combine to create some tension and mystery.

I enjoyed this book very much, although I thought the ending was too neat.

Fabulous!! A must read, especially for anyone personally touched by the Holocaust. Heart wrenching traumas told beautifully.

Listening to Lena's very moving story gave me some insight into what my mother might have endured but was unable to share with me. Thank you for that gift!!

Thought provoking

One of the best books of 2016! If you loved All of the light you cannot see or The Nightingale, you will surely not be disappointed! Rarely does a book move me to tears but this one made me stop and take a break more than a few times.

Narration could not have been any better! a truly amazing book.

having trouble with this one...

I normally love WWII novels. the portion of this book told by Lena is captivating, and if it were only that I'd give this book 4-5 stars. Liam and Cat are just the worst, though. they are so flat and so annoying. the narrator is awful, though I can't tell if that's her fault or if it's because she's not given much to work with. seriously. I cannot stress enough how much Cat and Liam ruin this book.

Wonderful story and narration!

Excellent, moving, engaging story with, bar none, the best narration I've ever heard (& I've listened to a whole lot of audible books!). How one person did all these voices is a mystery to me, but she did one heck of a terrific job. Highly recommended!!

Wow what a book - Totally brilliant

Wow what a book totally amazing, the Narrator Gabra Zackman was superb, she made the book come alive:)

Another great read

I really enjoyed this story the narrator kept my interest there wasn't any violence to give me nightmares and I loved the voice of the narrator the ending was a tad cheesy but still good

What an amazing story!

I can't recommend this book highly enough I couldn't stop listening to it. The narration was superb and it brought tears to my eyes several times. A must have book to read!!!!

Loved it.

Could no stop listening. One of the best audible books I've bought to date. You really should give it a go, you won't be sorry.