The Fortunate Ones

Beautiful and Heartbreaking World War 2 Historical Fiction

By: Catherine Hokin

Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Every day, he stood exactly where he was directed. He listened for his number, shouted his answer in the freezing cold. He was ragged, and he was starving, but he was alive. He was one of the fortunate ones whom fate had left standing. And he needed to stay that way. For Hannah.

Berlin, 1941. Felix Thalberg, a printer’s apprentice, has the weight of the world on his shoulders. His beloved city is changing under Nazi rule, and at home things are no better - Felix’s father hasn’t left the house since he was forced to wear a yellow star, and his mother grows thinner every day.

Then one night, Felix meets a mysterious young woman in a crowded dance hall, and his life is changed forever. Hannah is like a rush of fresh air into his gloomy, stagnant life, and Felix finds himself instantly, powerfully infatuated with her. But when he tries to find her again, she’s vanished without a trace.

Was Hannah taken away by the Gestapo and held prisoner...or worse? When Felix himself is imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, his thoughts are only for her safety. And when a life-threatening injury lands him on the ward of Dr. Max Eichel - a Nazi medical officer with a sadistic reputation - his love for his lost Hannah sees him through the pain.

Until one day, Dr. Eichel brings his pretty, young wife to tour the camp, and Felix’s world is thrown off-kilter. Framed in the hospital window, he sees - impossibly - the same girl he met that fateful night...her wrist in the vice-like grip of the deathly calm SS Officer. And it’s clear Hannah recognizes him at once - there is no mistaking her expression, she has been dreaming of him too....

A gripping and beautiful wartime love story about two people facing impossible odds - heartbreaking, moving, and unforgettable. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones, and The Alice Network.

©2020 Catherine Hokin (P)2020 Bookouture

So disappointed

After all they suffered for Felix and Inga not to end up together was beyond disappointing!! It felt like Max won again .

Disappointing

From all of the raving reviews, I really expected more from this book. I especially disliked the lack of dialogue; there were tons of long stretches without any. I also found Inga to be very dull and not a likeable lead character. The ending was disappointing as well. It’s rare that I give a book 1 start but this is one- I Don’t recommend it.

I nearly cried...

Stories like this come along once in a great while. There are all the traditional elements. Boy meets girl. They fall in love and that love holds them through some of the most horrific events of the 20th century. There is love, loss, bravery and sacrifice. I stayed up late listening to how these two people grow and change. I can't write anything else otherwise it will give away the plot. Just read it.

Most Unrealistic WWII Love Story Ever.

I loved most WWII novels. But I had trouble even believing the author has checked her details she wrote in the story. It didn't sound realistic all the way through the book. it had many twists and turns. But I couldn't get lost in the story because the narrator spoken with an American accent. It never sounded real. It wasn't even written as a good translation of how the German characters would phrase their words. The German Guards at the concentration camps didn't phrase his words realistically. It was more like an American an Army Boot Camp Sargent would have spoken to those he trained. Not even realistic for any military training or POW. I quit listening for a while. But the possibility of it turning out to be a happy love story kept me reading. it really upset me that even at the end when the two lovers should have found each other and realized a wonderful life after all the pain. But in the end they don't end up together.

Ok, but seriously worst ending ever

Loved this book sooo much! But the ending was awful. Undeniably the worst ending I’ve ever read.

We were the fortunate ones.

Terrible story. I’ve never heard a GermAn Nazi officer with an English accent! It did however bring to light the fact that Nazi officers fled to Argentina to avoid prosecution.

What a powerful read

Honestly I read a lot to WWII books and historical accounts of various wars and they can be a bit redundant, this one was impressive and unique. The perspectives and reality of people options and experiences was just powerful and I enjoyed the listen.

very emotional and kinda not what I thought it was

I was really excited to start reading these are to have it read to me or whatever but I ended up being kind of appointed in the story I think it could have been a lot more historical and it just entertaining than it was I didn't realize so much time would be spent of reminiscing of what Felix was doing and the concentration camp that's a really interesting story about the counterfeiting money and asking you about that before I read this but it just was they didn't make much out of it and counterfeit it is kind of a pretty cool thing also I would have rather had the book focus more on finding the doctor like what happened after what's your name Inga do the information over I think they spent way too much time leading up to her leaving her husband and he never know if she does her son back and if theyever gete dr. eichel. I wish they would like a little thing at the end telling you like what was wrong it was not because I know the counterfeiting thing at Saxon housing was real but I don't know if dr. IHOP was really never heard of and I am a big historical fiction in Holocaust roller to use an anyways I thought the book could have been a lot better than it was had a great hotline I like the characters but I didn't like how long it took it and I think they could have been a lie I didn't like how that you can never get ahead of Max like it wasn't fair that they should have let him to get ahead

Excellent

Not the ending I was hoping for 😥, but still a great story. Hope to read read more from this author.

Unfortunate story, I loved it

Again, we’re reminded of a past time that really did happen and this was beautifully written. Narrative well done. Hard to put down!

Great story!

I really enjoyed this listen,a different take on a love story.We got to see a terrible event from more than one view point. I would recommend this book to anyone who does not like fluffy romance,it’s more of an emotional love story that gives hope.

Fantastic!

Highly recommended, I love when a book goes beyond the war and deals with the aftermath too. Two stories woven together brilliantly.

Fabulous reading.

Fabulous reading. Story line keeps you wanting more. Really didn't see the outcome. So life like.

Corny and Romantic

A single glance and they are madly in love An entire war takes place but a young Jew and a SS guard's wife So predictable and boring

What a drag

I struggled on for so long but in the end I could not be bothered to finish it.