The Story She Left Behind

A Novel

De: Patti Callahan Henry

Narrado por: Julia Whelan, Theo Solomon

“Brilliant, riveting, so beautifully written, impossible to put down.” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

©2025 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

Indie Next April 2025 Pick

LibraryReads March 2025 Pick

A warm hug

If you’re looking for a warm hug of a book, this is it. I love the dual narration, and Julia Whelan is the queen as usual!

Great historical fiction

Based on many true events! Excellent narration. Loved this story;) Liked the duo for narration

This is the best book I’ve listened to this year. Enjoy!

Loved everything about it. I was captivated within the first ten minutes. I especially loved Winnie.

Stunningly lyrical and beautiful

This is a book I will think about for a long time after finishing. The language was eloquent and lyrical, but the story itself was also captivating. This is a gorgeous story of love, forgiveness, and appreciation of art and nature. It examines what it means to be family and what we do for those we love. The landscape of both South Carolina and Cumbria are characters in the novel and the descriptions make me want to visit both. This was a unique story that wound history with charm and whimsy.

Beautiful Cover

WOW! What a beautiful cover and storyline about Clara looking for her mother in London with her daughter Wynnie

The beautiful writing. The story is so unusual, the characters are so well described.

Great story. Definitely at the top of my list of best books. The history in England at the time is woven in to a most unique story of relationships scenery. There’s a bit thrown in about one of the best known children’s authors of the day. The mystery of some characters in the
book is most enjoyable.

Vivid imagery!

Patti Callahan Henry is a phenomenal author and is so expressive in her writing that you can see everything she talks about in your mind’s eye. Just when I think her books cannot get better she comes out with the next one! Thoroughly engaging and captivating novel! An absolute work of art!

Beautiful Story! Perfect Narration

I finished this wonderful book in just four days—there's nothing better than a story you can't put down! As a huge fan of The Secret Book of Flora Lea, this is my second novel by Patti Callahan Henry, and I now realize I’ve been missing out on her previous works. I’ll definitely be looking into reading more!

This was a beautiful story about a young woman navigating life as a single mom with a career in a small town, all while grappling with the mysterious abandonment of her own mother. Her journey, alongside her daughter, unfolds into a tale of purpose, leading them across the globe through a world of mystery, heartache, forgiveness, healing, magic, self discovery and love.

Lastly, Julia Whelan as a narrator—she truly brings the story to life. I highly recommend this book; you won’t be disappointed! XOXO

Another beautiful narration by Julia Whelan

Beautiful prose and beautiful story. It was captivating. I didn’t want it to end. Julia brought these characters alive.

Wonderful story

What a wonderful story line and absolutely love the setting. I’ve been to the Lake District and I felt like I was there again.