The Warm Hands of Ghosts

A Novel

De: Katherine Arden

Narrado por: Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden

Duración: 11 h y 38 m

Resumen del Editor

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist, from the author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

“A wonderful clash of fire and ice—a book you won’t want to let go of.”—Diana Gabaldon, author of Outlander

“Spectacular—a tour de force, wonderful and deep and haunting.”—Naomi Novik, author of A Deadly Education

January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital, where she soon hears whispers about haunted trenches and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely.

©2024 Katherine Arden (P)2024 Random House Audio

Disturbing but worthwhile.

I loved the characters and wanted them to succeed. There were twists on right and wrong that make you think.

3.5 stars. Excellent narration.

I rated this book 3.5 stars. It was a good well-researched story, but I found it dragged in the middle. The imagery of WW1 was compelling, and the characters were well developed. I was happy with how the author ended the book, and the narrators were perfect. I would have rated it higher if it was less repetitive in the middle.

The Whimsy of War

Arden’s authors note at the end of the book perfectly summarizes the macabre enchantment of the era, as does her story as it unfolds with beautiful horror. That said, know that there is plenty of heart and love and hope holding this poetic, historical tale together.

Creeps into your bones

It’s impossible for a story about WWI not to linger a bit. As Arden says, it’s not something that gets nearly enough attention (particularly in the US) for how much it shaped the trajectory of the modern world. Arden really took the time to show how people are wounded by war and how not all suffering is surface level.

The pacing is somewhat slow but it doesn’t drag. The story builds over time, and as the pieces come together, it’s easier and easier to see exactly what the author is hoping to accomplish. The end in particular it subtle but powerful.

I love January LaVoy as a narrator but for the purpose of this particular book, Michael Crouch was just okay. It was well told though and I was never taken out of it.

A Departure for Ms. Arden

I am left with very mixed feelings about this book. It seemed quite a departure from The Winternight Trilogy. Maybe it was the horrors of war that made the book difficult to like. I understand the value of reading history and I can enjoy historical fiction but I primarily read to escape. I want to be amazed and entertained. I found it difficult to connect to any of the characters. I actually found myself apathetic to them. It would have been better if I found any of them repellent if liking them was not an option.

The writing itself is beautiful. Katherine Arden is a master when setting a scene. In this book she paints a very bleak picture mud and blood. If I examine the book from a research and writing perspective I think the book was a success. I believe I was the wrong audience.

Journey through time..

An amazing story of one of the horrific of mankind history. Today, some try to erase it. But our author tenderly yanks us back to face the mirror of the past. Wonderfully written. Bravo and Brava to the narrators. They breathed the characters to life for me. Thank you.

Wonderful book

This book was so good. I am so glad that I used a credit for this listen.

A Good Introduction to WWI in a Modern World

The supernatural pieces did not work as well for me, which I suspect is generational. But as a story of this awe-filled and terrible war, it is a wonderful place for a modern reader to begin.

Loved the characters

Arden spent a great deal of time on several memorable characters that really made the novel enjoyable to listen to. I empathized with them all. Thanks for bringing this to life!

Substance and Violence

A really great combination of historical fact and literary license. I enjoyed every minute and finished it in 4 nights.