The End of My Heart

By: Gayle Forman

Narrated by: Piper Goodeve, Gabriel Vaughan, Elizabeth Evans, Josh Hurley, Amanda Ronconi, Emily Bauer, Neil Hellegers, Jesse Einstein, Diane Kruger

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Diane Kruger narrates this gorgeous historical drama from number one New York Times best-selling author Gayle Forman.

It’s July 1946, and after a decade of Depression and war, life in America is returning to normal. But for Charlotte and Mary Oswald, one tumultuous summer will unearth all their secrets and upend their world, once again.

Charlotte Oswald’s life is dictated by rules. Where she can go. Whom she can speak to. How she can spend her long, dull summer days. It’s a small, closeted existence, but necessary to protect Charlotte, who has suffered from debilitating fits since childhood. Her sole escape is in story: the elaborate tales she makes up, and the ones she listens to each day on her favorite radio serial, an addictive romantic drama called The End of My Heart.

Mary Oswald’s life is dictated by duty. As the head housekeeper for the wealthy Thwaites family, her European refinement is what makes her an “indispensable” employee and also what makes the lowly position chafe. This isn’t the role Mary was raised for, but it’s the one she has chosen to keep her daughter safe.

Over the course of the hot, sultry summer, Charlotte makes unexpected friends with two film-obsessed boys, and inspired by the movies of Alfred Hitchcock, the ongoing Nuremberg Nazi trials, and Charlotte’s own wild imagination, the three begin plotting their own screenplay. Meanwhile, Mary, left behind in the nearly empty Thwaites mansion, begins a steamy affair with the charming industrialist Prescott Thwaites, and as she reveals the hidden parts of herself, begins to fall in love.

The last days of summer rapidly approaching, Charlotte’s freedom coming to an end, and the Thwaites family soon returning, mother and daughter hurtle toward a point of no return as the long-buried memories resurface, blurring the line between fantasy and reality, and threatening to expose the secret that could be the end of them all.

Diane Kruger’s rich narration and a full-cast radio serial elevate this story from internationally best-selling novelist Gayle Forman into an immersive, unique, and unforgettable listening experience.

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©2019 Gayle Forman (P)2020 Audible Originals

Excellent concept, clever story, but...

Overall, I liked the book and I was drawn to the characters. The clever way in which the author switches between the narrative and a kind of radio soap opera was amazing. There was a lot of coincidence happening, but it didn't detract from the overall effect of the story. I was disappointed by the ending of the book, though, and when it was complete, I was left unsatisfied.

The voice actors were great. I have to say they made an already enjoyable story even more so.

surprising and enchchanting

Beautiful narration and story. The whole tale wraps up so nicely. I loved it.

A pleasure

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. Not the type of story I usually read but I was almost immediately sucked in. Mary and Charlotte were so well written. Diane Kruger has a beautiful voice and was wonderful to listen to.

Great summer mystery love story

Lots of surprises, deals with heavy historical content, mother/daughter angst and prejudice however, enjoyable and easy one sitting listen.
Excellent performances!

Unexpected Gem!

I got this book as one of Audible’s freebies. Looking at the description I never would have purchased it. A time piece after the war? Nothing I thought I would love so much! There are 3 main story lines, seemingly unconnected, a daughter’s perspective, her mothers perspective and how they both listen to a radio drama. As summer progresses, the characters grow and change and you start to see how everything connect, from the 3 different perspectives. The plot twists, a few times, and the ending was in no way predictable. Overall it was an easy, enthralling and enjoyable book that I loved!

Mixed up

This was a bit of a mis-mash. It felt under developed; too many elements that just kind of collapsed by the forced ending. I did like the radio serial interludes, the best part of this audiobook.