The Time In Between

A Novel

By: Maria Duenas

Narrated by: Zilah Mendoza

The inspiring international bestseller of a seemingly ordinary woman who uses her talent and courage to transform herself first into a prestigious couturier and then into an undercover agent for the Allies during World War II.

Between youth and adulthood...

At age twelve, Sira Quiroga sweeps the atelier floors where her single mother works as a seamstress. At fourteen, she quietly begins her own apprenticeship. By her early twenties she has learned the ropes of the business and is engaged to a modest government clerk. But everything changes when two charismatic men burst unexpectedly into her neatly mapped-out life: an attractive salesman and the father she never knew.

Between war and peace...

With the Spanish Civil War brewing in Madrid, Sira leaves her mother and her fiancé, impetuously following her handsome lover to Morocco. However, she soon finds herself abandoned, penniless, and heartbroken in an exotic land. Among the odd collection of European expatriates trapped there by the worsening political situation back on the Continent, Sira reinvents herself by turning to the one skill that can save her: her gift for creating beautiful clothes.

Between love and duty...

As England, Germany, and the other great powers launch into the dire conflict of World War II, Sira is persuaded to return to Madrid, where she takes on a new identity to embark upon the most dangerous undertaking of her career. As the preeminent couturier for an eager clientele of Nazi officers’ wives, Sira becomes embroiled in the half-lit world of espionage and political conspiracy rife with love, intrigue, and betrayal.

An outstanding success around the world, The Time in Between has sold more than two million copies and inspired the Spanish television series based on the book, dubbed by the media as the “Spanish Downton Abbey.” In the US it was a critical and commercial hit, and a New York Times bestseller in paperback. It is one of those rare, richly textured novels that enthrall down to the last page. María Dueñas reminds us how it feels to be swept away by a masterful storyteller.

Please help me!

Please someone tell the reader of this book that in Spain, the "s" does not sound like a "z". Only the "c" sometimes and, of course, the "z". It is driving me crazy. Her name is Sira, not "Zira". This might seem trivial but she does it every time she reads words containing the letter "s". As you can imagine, this is very often. Right now, even though I am enjoying the story, I do not know if I can continue to listen. I wish I had bought the book instead!

Wonderful experience!

This was a selection for our book club. I greatly enjoyed it! The story line was intricate and enjoyable. Listening to it brought the international flair to life.

Great story! Narration was only negative.

Loved discovering a WW2 story told from a new geographical location (first one I've read based in Madrid/Africa). The narrator really was a struggle for me to stick with. Lots of pauses in the middle of sentences and strange pronunciations.

Wonderful

Wonderful character, a great story and a largely forgotten (at least by Americans) slice of history. A real jewel.

The type of story you want to go on and on…

I’m not much for WWII period pieces, but this has changed my mind. The story builds on a way that keeps you guessing, well done. 5 stars.