When the World Fell Silent

By: Donna Jones Alward

Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard, Ivana Rakić

A story of loss, hope and redemption against impossible odds…

The Globe & Mail Bestseller

'Alward tells this story of the wounded survivors and the people who cared for them with affecting grace' Toronto Star

1917. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Nora Crowell wants more than her sister’s life as a wife and mother. As WWI rages across the Atlantic, she becomes a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Nursing Corps. But trouble is looming and it won’t be long before the truth comes to light.

Having lost her beloved husband in the trenches and with no-one else to turn to, Charlotte Campbell now lives with his haughty relations who treat her like the help. It is baby Aileen, the joy and light of her life, who spurs her to dream of a better life.

When tragedy strikes in Halifax Harbour, nothing for these two women will ever be the same again. Their paths will cross in the most unexpected way, trailing both heartbreak and joy in its wake…

©2024 Donna Jones Alward (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting History

This book was made more real for me because I toured Halifax and the sites of damage. Very well researched!

Courage and determination in the face of overwhelming challenges on the path to recovery.

I appreciate how the story beautifully portrays the journey of a young woman through various stages of her life, ultimately leading to a sense of stability in the end.

Heartwarming story of strength, and resilience.

Enjoyed the depth of the personalities of the Children through the story. Friends coming together as family during times of loss on the home front during war.

Cute story, easy listen

Good story, liked the characters, would like to know more about the historical fiction situation but overall would definitely recommend as a good read

Best book I’ve read in awhile

The storyline, characters, history, heartache and love all carried me through this so quickly, wanting more. Her ability to tie these two women’s stories together was remarkable!

solid book

the ending wrapped up like a hollywood romcom-
but i did enjoy it up until then

The horror of the explosion, the resilience of the people

Loved the two very different characters and how they handled the dramatic changes in their lives.

The courage of each character

This book was excellent you will love the characters. If you are looking for A Fast read!! This book is it!!!

Tender and True

Get your heartstrings ready! This engaging book about women who lived through the disaster of Halifax delivered far more than I expected. Tender and true, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT taught me about this Canadian disaster but focused on the lives of those who survived. In fact, it made me feel like I’d lived through the events, even as it kept me on edge, wondering what would happen to our heroines and the children. Deeply felt in the vein of Lisa Wingate. Can’t wait for more historical fiction by this author.

Amazing Read!

I learned so much about an event in history I’d never known about. A true love story. Beautifully written.