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The Words I Never Wrote

By: Jane Thynne
Narrated by: Tara Ward, Nathalie Buscombe
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Summary

A chance discovery inside a vintage typewriter case reveals the gripping story of two sisters on opposite sides of World War II in this captivating novel for listeners of Lilac Girls and The Women in the Castle.

New York, present day: On a whim, Juno Lambert buys a 1931 Underwood typewriter that once belonged to celebrated journalist Cordelia Capel. Within its case she discovers an unfinished novel, igniting a transatlantic journey to fill the gaps in the story of Cordelia and her sister and the secret that lies between them.

Europe, 1936: Cordelia's socialite sister Irene marries a German industrialist who whisks her away to Berlin. Cordelia, feistier and more intellectual than Irene, gets a job at a newspaper in Paris, pursuing the journalism career she cherishes. As politics begin to boil in Europe, the sisters exchange letters and Cordelia discovers that Irene's husband is a Nazi sympathiser. With increasing desperation, Cordelia writes to her beloved sister, but as life in Nazi Germany darkens, Irene no longer dares admit what her existence is truly like. Knowing that their letters cannot tell the whole story, Cordelia decides to fill in the blanks by sitting down with her Underwood and writing the truth. When Juno reads the unfinished novel, she resolves to uncover the secret that continued to divide the sisters amid the turmoil of love, espionage and war.

In this vivid portrait of Nazi Berlin, from its high society to its devastating fall, Jane Thynne examines the truths we sometimes dare not tell ourselves.

©2020 Jane Thynne (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd
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The bravery of those who fought against dictatorships

I read this book as one of my free books included in my membership, it hadn’t had a lot of reviews so I was expecting it to turn out to be such an exciting and interesting recording of history during the dark days of WW2. Parts of it were difficult to listen to about the brutality of war. I loved hearing about the brave people who went to France and Germany to fight Facist. I got so much pleasure listening to the enduring love of two sisters and both very brave strong women in their own right. The narrator also brought you right into this exceptional story. I would recommend it to anyone.

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À tale that winds you in

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but the tale weaves its spell and you find yourself really feeling for the sisters.
I recommend.

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Very thought provoking novel

Very much enjoyed this novel. The relationship between two sisters was well crafted and their different lives and experiences gives a different perspective on women in WW2. Only 4 stars for narration though as some of her pronunciation of French and German words was excruciating. Overall a really great audiobook

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outstanding

Thoroughly well written. I particularly enjoyed the elder sister's humour..... the story has everything. Joy, despair, humour, and all the historical references. It's an amazing example of just how very complex the human condition is. I couldn't stop listening.

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