• The Light After the War

  • A Novel
  • By: Anita Abriel
  • Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky
  • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (60 ratings)

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The Light After the War  By  cover art

The Light After the War

By: Anita Abriel
Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky
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Publisher's summary

Inspired by an incredible true story of two Jewish friends who survived the Holocaust, this “heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience, and the triumph of human spirit” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times best-selling author) spans World War II from Budapest to Austria and the postwar years from Naples to Caracas, perfect for fans of The German Girl and We Were the Lucky Ones.

Spring 1946: Best friends Vera Frankel and Edith Ban arrive in Naples. Refugees from Hungary, they managed to escape from a train headed for Auschwitz and spent the rest of the war hiding on an Austrian farm. Now, the two young women are starting new lives abroad.

Armed with a letter of recommendation from an American officer, Vera finds work at the United States embassy where she falls in love with Captain Anton Wight. But as Vera and Edith grapple with the aftermath of the war, so too does Anton, and when he suddenly disappears, Vera is forced to change course. Their quest for a better life takes Vera and Edith from Naples to Ellis Island to Caracas as they start careers, reunite with old friends, and rebuild their lives after terrible loss.

Moving, evocative, and compelling, The Light After the War is a timely and “unforgettable story of strength, love, and survival” (Jillian Cantor, USA Today best-selling author).

©2020 Anita Abriel (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about The Light After the War

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  • Overall
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Breathtaking Novel

Love reading about the past, their hardships, the relationships and most of all, Empathy. High school kids need to read this as part of the curriculum.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very well told

This was a wonderful story. How many got through with a feeling of guilt of survival. These stories help us never forget.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Liked, not loved

Enjoyed the story line , but often felt that it needed a little more depth. At times a little too predictable.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Moving!

Such a treasure of truth and compassion. Thank you for your brave retelling of your mother’s story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great historical fiction, not the best ending

The reason this book did not get 5 stars from me was because the ending was terribly disappointing. After all of her pain and all of her triumph, I felt that her choice in the last few minutes of this book was without reason. Instead of completing her journey, making her own choice to make her happy, she decided to make a choice (again) out of fear. I was hoping to see a better completion to her journey. Overall, this was a great historical fiction I really enjoyed and loved finding out the familial connection to the author. Romantic, realistic, and well done.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent plot with twists one could never imagine

Great read. Listen all the way to the end. Romance, intrigue, adventure, a terrific story.

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A wonderful story well read historical romances

I would like to read more of
The same genre. Sad
Story but with hopeful ending

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Never forget

I really appreciated the personal story of the author’s mother. We all need to read/listen to stories such as this so we never forget that we must keep our leaders in check, hold them accountable or this horrible history could happen again.

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Loved that this is true!

I loved this story and it would almost be hard to believe if it weren’t true! This woman’s resilience is just amazing!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring story of courage

This is a true story well written about a dark time in history. The friendship of Edith and Vera was heartwarming .

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1 person found this helpful