The Crooked Path

By: Irma Joubert

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

From the bestselling author of The Girl From the Train, comes another compelling coming of age story of delayed love, loss, and reconciliation in WWII-era South Africa.

Lettie has always felt different from and overshadowed by the women around her– this friend is richer, that friend is more beautiful, those friends are closer. Still, she doesn’t let this hold her back. She works hard to apply her mind, trying to compensate for her perceived lack of beauty with diligent academic work and a successful career as a doctor. She learns to treasure her friendships, but she still wonders if any man will ever return her interest.

Marco’s experience in the second world war have robbed him of love and health. When winters in his native Italy prove dangerous to his health even after the war has ended, he moves to South Africa to be with his brother, husband to one of Lettie’s best friends. Marco is Lettie’s first patient, and their relationship grows as she aids him on the road back to restored health.

In the company of beloved characters from The Child of the River, Marco and Lettie find a happiness that neither of them thought possible. With that joy comes pain and loss, but Lettie learns that life—while perhaps a crooked path—is always a journey worth taking.

Critic reviews

'...the story is spellbinding...'

'In her latest richly detailed historical novel, Joubert's (The Girl From the Train) deep insight into human nature is reflected in her intricately crafted characters. The author's choice to focus on personal relationships and follow the crooked paths that life journeys often take make this a strong entry for readers of women's fiction.'

'There are a lot of life lessons to be learned here about love, loss and faith. If you are a fan of historical inspirational fiction, The Crooked Path is not to be missed.'

Would make a good movie, but not her most interesting book

As many reviewers have said, this book is a young adult romance novel. It’s a sweet story in that regard, but the long description of the time spent in hiding during the war, and deaths of those who hid is depressing and doesn’t fit with the lighter themes of young love. I had to skip that part as it got depressing. Also, most of the book drones on and on. If the book were shortened to be made into a two hour movie, with the part about the war just summarized, it would be five stars. The dances and descriptions of the time period were very good. And the reader did a good job also.