the setup…
It’s 1939 London and the children in the city are evacuated to the countryside to avoid the bombing of World War II. Hazel Linden, fourteen years old, is sent with her five-year old sister Flora Lea, forced to leave their beloved mother and Bloomsbury home behind. They are fortunate to be placed with Bridgette (Bridie)Aberdeen and her son Harry at Binsey in the Oxfordshire countryside. It was a lovely cottage but still frightening to be suddenly separated from their old life. To settle her sister, Hazel created a make-believe world for her sister to escape to, a place called Whisperwood. It was magical and wonderful. But one day, Flora disappeared in a moment when she was out of Hazel’s sights, feared drowned in the Thames. Deep down, Hazel never gave up hope that she’d find her little sister. Now it’s 1960 London and Hazel is working at Hogan’s, a rare bookshop, when she unwraps the package of a new picture book called…Whisperwood and the River of Stars! It has all of the elements of the fairy tale she created, told only to Flora Lea. Hazel sets forth on a path to find the truth behind the book’s origins, hoping against hope that it will lead to her sister, alive.
the heart of the story…
Flora Lea’s disappearance defined Hazel’s life in every way possible as she felt responsible. While at Binsey, she’d fallen in love with Harry but made a vow during the search for Flora that she’d give him up if her sister could survive and she held true to that promise. Though they’d separated, she never forgot the wonderful, talented boy who’d captured her heart. But it was the pursuit of Whisperwood that is the heart of the story and Hazel’s dogged determination to find out how the author learned of the fairy tale world only she and Flora knew about…it was their secret that was never shared with anyone.
the narration…
Erivo was a perfect choice for this story with her lovely tone and “quiet” approach to the storytelling. It added to the ethereal aspect and highly atmospheric quality of the story. She made me feel everything.
the bottom line…
I hadn’t heard of Operation Pied Piper, the name given to the evacuation of British children from London to the countryside in World War II. While this wasn’t the focus of the story, it provided enough about Hazel and Flora’s experience from the moment they left until they were placed with the Aberdeens that frightened me as an adult. I could only imagine the impact on the thousands of children during that time. I admired Hazel who as a young girl made it her mission to protect her sister and created her own penitence for failing to do so. The journey she set upon after finding that picture book was not only one to find Flora Lea but the her own self discovery in the process. It is a highly atmospheric, whimsical and haunting story that grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go until the end. I loved everything about it.
Book Info
- Release Date: May 2, 2023
- Narrator: Cynthia Erivo
- Audio Length: 12 hours, 24 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Wonderful review Jo! This sounds really good and the audio sample is excellent!
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Thank you, Nicki💜 I think you’d love this!
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I do like this author and did enjoy this story too! I knew about the children being sent away bc of the bombing of London. It was sad.
Glad this was a fine audio book.
Great review!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 You were responsible for me adding it to my shelf. That evacuation unnerved me. I can just imagine how the parents felt, too.
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I enjoyed this book too and also several others from this author! Great review!
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Thank you, Jodie💜 This is my first. Is there one from her backlist you’d recommend?
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Wow, this sounds incredible. Fantastic review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thanks, Anne💜 I was easily captivated.
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Unimaginable for parents and children 💔
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Broke my heart.
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I’ve seen this book pop up on recommendation lists, but hadn’t looked further into the plot, so I’m really glad to see your review. It sounds wonderful! Another one for my library request list.
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It is indeed wonderful, Lisa💜 If not for my friend Marialyce, I probably would have sailed by it.
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I like the sound of this one. I’m familiar with the operation that got the children into the countryside, but the mystery of this story and the older sister’s grief makes me want to snatch it up.
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Oh, Sophia, this is your kind of story💜
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Fab review! This is one I’m looking forward to read as well… I love the sound of the WWII angle and the missing sister.
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Thanks, Yvo💜 I’m pretty sure you’ll love this. WWII is in the background, which just makes it more ominous. Great story and it includes books!
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All elements that make me want to read it even more!
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This story sounds so interesting. I’ve never heard of Operation Pied Piper either. Excellent review!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 My heart was in my throat during that segment about the evacuation.
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Wonderful review, Jo. I knew about the children being evacuated from London to the countryside, but didn’t know it was called Operation Pied Piper. How heartbreaking to parents to have to do that. I really like the sound of this book and the mystery it has. I recently found this one at the library, so hope to listen to it soon.
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Thank you, Carla💜 You’re going to enjoy this one.
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