The Last Year of the War

De: Susan Meissner

Narrado por: Kimberly Farr

Duración: 16 h y 37 m

Resumen del Editor

From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and As Bright as Heaven comes a novel about a German American teenager whose life changes forever when her immigrant family is sent to an internment camp during World War II.

In 1943, Elise Sontag is a typical American teenager from Iowa - aware of the war but distanced from its reach. Then her father, a legal US resident for nearly two decades, is suddenly arrested on suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer. The family is sent to an internment camp in Texas, where, behind the armed guards and barbed wire, Elise feels stripped of everything beloved and familiar, including her own identity.

The only thing that makes the camp bearable is meeting fellow internee Mariko Inoue, a Japanese-American teen from Los Angeles, whose friendship empowers Elise to believe the life she knew before the war will again be hers. Together in the desert wilderness, Elise and Mariko hold tight the dream of being young American women with a future beyond the fences.

But when the Sontag family is exchanged for American prisoners behind enemy lines in Germany, Elise will face head-on the person the war desires to make of her. In that devastating crucible, she must discover if she has the will to rise above prejudice and hatred and reclaim her own destiny, or disappear into the image others have cast upon her.

The Last Year of the War tells a little-known story of World War II with great resonance for our own times and challenges the very notion of who we are when who we’ve always been is called into question.

©2019 Susan Meissner (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Meissner has created a quietly devastating story that shows how fear and hatred during World War II changed (and even ended) the lives of many innocent Americans.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Vivid historical detail and elegant prose bolster this rewarding story of profound friendship, family, fear, and the pain that arose for American-born children of immigrant parents.”—Publishers Weekly

“There's no shortage of books about World War II and internment camps coming out right now, given events in the news over the last year. Meissner's latest novel presents a more interesting, untold account than others.”—Real Simple

Historical Novel highlights our sad history

This book tells the story of families of German and Japanese decent who were interned during World War II in Crystal City, TX, and their repatriation to the native country ofthe older generation. It tells a history of which I knew nothing about. I had heard about the Japanese interned in CA but did not know of other camps around the country nor the hardships and injustice these people endured because of an unsubstantiated fear and then hate of them. This is a timely book for the current underlying fears in our nation where if we are not careful, history could repeat itself.

Heartbreaking, tender story of the reach of WWII.

Liked it. Frightening reminder of our ugly history while simultaneously showing tender and heartwarming forgiveness.

Absolutely wonderful!

Wonderfully performed and wonderfully written. I've read/listened to so many of this author's writings that I can't even keep track of how many and never once has it been a disappointment!

very memorable book

Historically eye-opening, mind gripping, nail-biting yet sad and depicting real life. Characters come alive with excellent descriptions, yet not repetitive or boring. The main character or narrater, is truthful and one loves her right from the start.
The poverty is real but does not linger to such an extent that it keeps one awake at night. schocking experiences described in a clever, calm and indirect way, not overpowering the theme.

Good read

Concentration camps are a part of WWII that is not included in most books from the era I have read. The details were very enlightening. Thank you for the story.

Mesmerizing

I was thoroughly and immediately immersed in the story. The characterization of each of the characters made them so lifelike. The narration by Kimberly Farr was special and perfect for the telling.

Started Slow

It was a slow start but keep with it. The narration was excellent, it was definitely worth a credit!

Beautiful

It is a sad and yet beautiful story. At times I did feel it went on a little long which is why I only gave 4 stars.

Friendship

it took awhile to get into it. I thought the first part about the teenage girls Friendship seemed like a teenage novel. It finally took off. it was ok but I won't listen to it twice.

Captivating read!

Engaging characters, great personification of the thief that is Alzheimer’s, unpredictable twists, I learned about a lot of suffering that went on behind the scenes of war