The Girl from Guernica

By: Karen Robards

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 15 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Inspired by Picasso’s great masterpiece Guernica, New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards returns with a riveting story of intrigue, deception and bravery in the face of war…

On an April day in 1937, the sky opens and fire rains down upon the small Spanish town of Guernica. Seventeen-year-old Sibi and her family are caught up in the horror. Griff, an American military attaché, pulls Sibi from the wreckage, and it’s only the first time he saves her life in a span of hours. When Germany claims no involvement in the attack, insisting the Spanish Republic was responsible, Griff guides Sibi to lie to Nazi officials. If she or her sisters reveal that they saw planes bearing swastikas, the gestapo will silence them—by any means necessary.  

As war begins to rage across Europe, Sibi joins the underground resistance, secretly exchanging information with Griff. But as the scope of Germany’s ambitions becomes clear, maintaining the facade of a Nazi-sympathizer becomes ever more difficult. And as Sibi is drawn deeper into a web of secrets, she must find a way to outwit an enemy that threatens to decimate her family once and for all.

Masterfully rendered and vividly capturing one of the most notorious episodes in history, The Girl from Guernica is an unforgettable testament to the bonds of family and the courage of women in wartime.

©2022 Karen Robards (P)2022 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Better to read than listen

I do enjoy Karen Robards' books because she does have interesting plots and characters. This one reminded me why I usually stick to reading Robards versus listening. I lost track of how many sentences started with Sibi's heart freezing, speeding up, racing etc. Listening to a story can really emphasize phrases that a writer might overuse. It's easier to gloss over them in print. The narrator did a fine job overall.

Loved every minute

The book was amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. She’s such a wonderful author.

Decent historical fiction

Nancy is a great narrator in just about everything, but struggled a bit to be convincing as the youngest children's voices. The story itself is a bit long, a tad overdramatic and implausible when it comes to the love story. The main story itself is also full of implausible holes and coincidences. Nevertheless, it was still a decent listen, but not one I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Heartwarming Story

This is a very interesting story. The characters enter your heart. It is a heartwarming and touching storyline. I love history also and found this book was loaded with history as well as providing a very believable family and how the war affected them! Superbly written!

Great Historical Fiction

WWII historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. This book does not disappoint. Educational and entertaining the author has obviously done her research into events, both good and tragic, around the war. Characters are believable and flawed which makes them endearing. I only wish this was one of Karen Robards series.

Such a good story!

The story keeps you hooked!! The narration is a bit slow, but if you increase the speed it’s perfect.

Terrible

I wasted my money on this one
The dialogue was repetitive and awful. Would not waste my time on it

Great historical story

Little overly dramatic by narrator, that made it distracting at times. The story was great, so many twists and turns, harrowing moments. Loved the spy, OSS references. Great book. Highly recommend. Author is awesome.

Wow

Gripping. Heart pounding. Could not put it down!! This is a fabulous story but also very emotional.

I was disappointed

First of all the narration is AMAZING! Which is one reason I stuck with this. The voice she does for the little girl, Margaret, is just the cutest thing ever. However, I felt like the name of the book and the description were misleading. I thought the book took place in Spain, which is why I got it. I listen/ read a lot of WW2 fiction and the good reviews plus the view point of someone in Spain; which I have not read about, encouraged me to purchase this book. The first part that does take place in Guernica was amazing. I was hooked and so excited for the rest of the book. But as the book continued it fell flat for me mostly because of the disappointment of the setting but also I just wasn’t into the story line. Obviously a lot of people love this book so this is just my opinion. One thing I will say, I appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from how evil the Nazis were. Some books kind of gloss over the horrors they committed but this author did not which I think is appropriate when writing about the holocaust.