The Secret Book of Flora Lea

A Novel

By: Patti Callahan Henry

Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo, Patti Callahan Henry

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed.

In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.

But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.

Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?

As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

©2023 Patti Callahan Henry. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Cynthia Erivo’s quiet assurance permeates this dual-timeline audio about the powerful alchemy of storytelling. In 1939, two girls, Hazel and Flora Lea, are evacuated from London to escape imminent war. Flora Lea mysteriously disappears. In 1960, Hazel, now a rare book shop clerk, opens a package and discovers a book of the same stories she once made up to calm Flora Lea. Erivo rarely raises her voice, yet through desperate tones she expertly conveys Hazel’s search for answers to the mysteries of her missing sister and the appearance of the stories from long ago. Erivo seamlessly adopts the charming lilt of young Flora and the American accent of the woman who has unwittingly written the fanciful stories that connect Hazel’s past with her present." (AudioFile Magazine)

Loved, loved, loved

Enjoyed being whisked away and into a wonderful story. Thank you Patti for your fantastic storytelling!

Just Fantastic

I loved everything about this book and know I will listen again! Just fantastic! 5 stars!

A beautiful balance between the real and ideal

When I started this book I think I expected a simplistic love story with a happy ending. I was surprised and pleased when it turned out to be a more nuanced tale reflecting a dreadful historical reality and the redemption that is possible through story and imagination.

A Must Read

This story is fantastic, it took me along for a journey on an emotional roller coaster as I found myself right there with them. Patti Callahan Henry’s words are so beautiful they bring you into them.
I truly loved this book.

Very good story but performance was lacking. The author ‘s “note of acknowledgement” at the end was way too much.

Because I enjoyed the story, I Will try another of her book with a different narrator.

Amazing

This novel is a delight, mystery, intrigue, mystical, tragic and every other emotion I can think of! I couldn’t put it down and cried, laughed, cheered and smiled. Such a great novel!

Loved everything about this book

Love the writing of this author. The narration was spot on and expertly executed. Will listen to more books by this author and this narrator.

Beautiful!

Beautiful story but the narrator was so soft spoken that I had to listen at full volume some times! Loved every second. Couldn’t put it down!

Happy sigh.

What an enchanting story! I loved every minute and was so sorry when it ended. I’ll miss the characters until I fall into Pattis next fabulous story.

What a wonderful book

I loved this book. I read it (listened) almost non stop. This is the story of two young sisters who are evacuated from London during the war. They find a magical fairytale place called Whisperwood to help them survive the losses they suffer. It’s the story of first love, perseverance, fate and the magic of Whisperwood.