The Girl They Left Behind
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The Girl They Left Behind
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Narrated by:
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Cassandra Campbell
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Written by:
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Roxanne Veletzos
About this listen
A sweeping family saga and love story that offers a vivid and unique portrayal of life in war-torn 1941 Bucharest and life behind the Iron Curtain during the Soviet Union occupation - perfect for fans of Lilac Girls and Sarah’s Key.
On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy, childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation.
Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early 20s and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time, they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets.
When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms and to confront the painful enigma of her past.
©2018 Roxanne Veletzos (P)2018 Simon & SchusterWhat listeners say about The Girl They Left Behind
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- M.S.
- 2021-11-01
Interesting book
The story is very interesting, the performance is very good. I would recommend this book to any reader who likes the books based on historical events.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alexandra A.
- 2022-01-31
Wonderful book
I am a middle aged romanian and I have lived a few years under the fear and hushed voices and empty shelves she describes. But her portrayal of these people is so human. so raw. so... wonderfully written. Must read. Many thanks to the author.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Alysha
- 2019-06-07
lovely story
The story was lovely and the narration was excellent. I found the telling of the story to be disjointed. Characters that seemed peripheral were later revealed as having been important. I don't mean that the rose to importance but rather in hindsight they felt made important. Other characters disappeared from the story and I felt like I missed a chapter of the book. Still, it was a good story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Catherine T.
- 2023-01-24
Heartfelt story
A beautiful story. Parts of it are a little long (be patient!) because the story gets better and better.
Filled with rawness, parental love, and commitment it grips you at the core.
We’ll worth the listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Owen Enstrom
- 2021-08-17
Very good story, learned things I didn’t know
Great story , very good narration , interesting history . I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the authors next novel .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer FP
- 2019-07-16
5 stars!
Absolutely amazing! This book hooked me very early on and I couldn't stop listening. Narrator was perfect!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Iciclequeen91
- 2020-03-04
Based on real life events
I didn’t realize till the closing credits it was based on true life events with if course somethings changed.
One more I love Cassandra reading, thou I did find in a few spots with long dialogues of certain characters she would lose the accent.
Her reading made me think I was right there with everyone during the war and everything afterwards.
Beautiful written and well spoken.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- hopi
- 2021-07-13
very moving and emotional
Loved the story and the education regarding Romania during and after ww2...loved the book and would recommend it!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- su
- 2019-03-04
A bit slow
The story, based on historical truth, was good but it did drag a bit. No surprises. Believable
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- shan
- 2019-05-20
couldn't put it down!
I loved it ! what a fascinating story of the true depths of the love parents have for their children. already recommended to my friends!
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