When We Were Young & Brave

A Novel

By: Hazel Gaynor

Narrated by: Rosie Jones, Imogen Church

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

"Gaynor's story of courage and strength will make you believe in the heroic spirit in each of us." (Lisa Wingate, number one New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

The New York Times best-selling author of The Girl Who Came Home sets her unforgettable new novel in China during WWII, inspired by true events surrounding the Japanese Army’s internment of teachers and children from a British-run missionary school. Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war.

China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge.

Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety.

Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await....

Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.

©2020 Hazel Gaynor (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Tender innocence and resiliency

A beautiful tale of finding joy in times of chaos and war. Innocence divulged from perspective of darling children not understanding the complexities of the human condition in times of war. Overall an enjoyable book and the audio performances were lovely.

Best of historical fiction!

I read a lot of historical fiction and this is one of the best I’ve ever read. The narrators were wonderful. The characters will move you. So well done on many levels. Very moving.

Wonderful!

A wonderful story of strength and friendship in the midst of awful circumstances. Highly recommended.

Really terrific!

I highly recommend this book. I listen to at least two Audible books a week but rarely leave a written review.

This one is outstanding...worth your time and money!

good story

great narrator, slow at first, but a terrific emotional ending. Worth listening to for sure

Another great Hazel Gaynor novel

I stumbled across one of her novels a few years ago and have not been disappointed yet! Hazel Gaynor always brings the characters to life and manages the flow and organization of the plot well. Great option for audio platform.

THis book is sweet, humbling and sad all at the same time. Will never quite think about a girl scout quite the same way. Amazing how much each individual human can have such a profound impact on another human, This novel brings that appreciation of the individual.

Touching story

I love hearing from a different point of view during WWII. This is from the point of view of young school girls and also their teachers. I loved how it was all interwoven together. Very sad, but sweet story. Excellent job, both in writing and performance! Well done!

Interesting story

But the narrator for Els (Imogen Church) is so grating, I often had to fast forward just to get through her bits. Rosie Jones is a great narrator though, so hard to rate the performance: 5 stars for Rosie, 1 for Imogen. She is way too dramatic and sing-songy in her expression—a big turn-off for me. The story itself was very engaging and I learned a lot about what went on in China during WW2. Recommend reading over listening.

Thoughtful and provoking

Moving story of life and loss among children during war. Brilliant characterization of heroes and villians.

One of the BEST books I have ever read

Outstanding story, and narration. I am sorry to finish it and will look forward to her next book.