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A Motherland's Daughter, a Fatherland's Son
- A WWII Novel
- Narrated by: Kylie Stewart, Eric Rolon
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
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A Motherland's Daughter, a Fatherland's Son
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Summary
Poland, 1939. A country torn by the occupation of two unlikely allies - Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
On the border of this newly divided territory, a young Wehrmacht Unteroffizier, Werner, and a Soviet military interpreter, Kira, meet and fall in love against all odds. Both forced into the military against their will, they wish for one thing only - a peaceful life together.
Everything is set for Kira to defect and marry Werner...but the German army invades the Soviet Union, and now the two lovers are forced to fight against each other on the opposite sides of the frontline, trying to keep their humanity as more and more atrocities are committed by both armies.
They have to decide if their love is stronger than the devastation surrounding them or succumb to the hate as sworn enemies should.
Partially based on true events, this novel will take you on the unforgettable journey through war-torn countries, where hope can be lost in no-man’s-land and one will have to go to great lengths not to lose sight of it.
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What listeners say about A Motherland's Daughter, a Fatherland's Son
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 15-11-18
Not great, not terrible.
Unfortunately I felt like this story lacked depth, there was not much character development outside of the two main characters and it felt quite rushed and a bit disjointed at times, it lacked any twists or turns and was very predictable. It got me through a couple of days at work. The overall story was fine and could have been amazing if it had been given more fleshing out but nevermind!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer49
- 29-01-19
Such a Soul-Gripping Book!
The core of this book is the touching Romeo and Juliet romance between Kira, a young Russian girl, and Werner, a German boy. When they first meet in 1939 Poland, their puppy love is filled with hope and naiveté. Germany is Russia’s ally, and although the two teens come from different countries, different cultures, they feel they are forever destined to be together. Not so, apparently. As they both go their separate ways, innocently swearing they will not forget one another, Hitler reneges on his pact with Russia and abruptly, Kira’s and Werner’s worlds are turned upside down. Werner is slated to invade Russia, and unbeknownst to him, Kira takes on a dangerous mission. Great detail is given to the harsh realities of war––the Siege of Leningrad, the unexpected fierceness of the Russians fighting the onslaught of Nazi soldiers, whether it be in the cities or out in the dense forests. So detailed are Midwood’s descriptions, I felt as though I, too, marched, hid, or suffered along with both sides; heard the blasts of weaponry; saw the horror of the maimed and killed; felt the rain, mud, bitter cold, and the crunch of snow. And ultimately, also witnessed the dehumanization of people and their souls. As the author writes, “They all want blood and revenge––anything just to soothe that bloodthirsty monster that has awakened in each and every one of us.” Truth be told, as I turned the pages I kept wondering: How could their faraway, diminishing love possibly win out, mired as it was in such horrific circumstances?
And what a treat it was to listen to the two narrators, Kylie Stewart and Eric Rolon, whose voices blended perfectly to make the story absolutely come alive. Excellent
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Saskia
- 07-12-18
An amazing heartbreaking story
This is narrated by a duo, so all the male characters are told by Eric and Kylie does all the female. It makes the story feel more natural.
This was actually my first book I read by Ellie Midwood and it blew me away.
I was reading this book on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon with goosebumps all over my body. It is a very intense, realistic and harrowing tale of two young people forever changed by WWII. It easy to forget that most of the soldiers were just kids going to war with hope and dreams until the gruesome reality hit. It is shows the horrors and the toll it takes on the soul, but there is also hope and kindness in the most unexpected places.
An amazing read.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barely Audible
- 03-12-18
You'll feel drawn in
My knowledge of history is fairly good, but not so great that I can know offhand how accurate this is. That said, the entire story rang true and it pulled you in.
Some of the heavy lifting was done by the dueling narrators, both of whom were outstanding. I had a clear favorite by the end, but both were great. Their dialogue flowed well and they were able to seamlessly transition from character to character, and gave the proper pronounciation to words of the region.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- L. Cotter
- 23-11-18
So unusual, but in the best way possible!
I'd never heard an audio book that actually had the male and female lines in each chapter read in a male or female voice!
To explain this a little better, in Kira's chapter, all male lines are read by the male narrator.
Unusual, and it caught me by surprise the first word I heard, but after a minute it became my favorite! I already loved this story, but hearing it out loud was so moving. Definitely one of my favorites!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-11-18
A moving and powerful story
Historical (and namely WW2) fiction is my favorite genre and I’m so glad I came across this audiobook! Few books show the war from the Soviet/German side, and that’s what fascinated me in the first place - the original concept and point of view that it offered. When I realized that the story is told from alternating perspectives (Kira’s and Werner’s) I started enjoying it even more as it helped me related to both and understand the motives of each.
The conflict itself is described with marvelous precision and truly brings history to life through an unimaginable amount of research that must have gone into it. Two opposing ideologies, two armies fighting with the ferociousness of wild beasts, and two young people who find themselves as enemies despite their deep, unwavering love for each other. I could only hope for the good outcome and was dreading the end if I’m completely honest.
A truly powerful, beautifully written and meticulously researched story. Both narrators did a great job. I’ll be recommending this to my fellow history lovers.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- christina shepard
- 17-05-22
Epic read
Wonderful story of the heartbreak, courage, and love of WWII. Two nineteen year olds, on opposite sides, are pulled into the nightmare of war. Can their love survive ? You don’t want to miss this book !!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marina Osipova
- 08-11-19
Compelling from the beginning
Brilliantly researched. The tale is brutally honest as the time and the place itself. The characters real and authentic. And though the story has a happy ending, the aftertaste from the portrayals of the ugly horrors of the War is overwhelming. Heighly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Yomp
- 02-08-19
Gripping
This was a fascinating story. It captivated me from start to finish. Ms. Midwood's writing made it such that I felt Kira and Werner's emotions throughout the story. The narrators did a fantastic job. If I could give this 10 stars, I would.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JeanAnn Trombley
- 20-05-19
Try to Imagine yourself making these decisions!
When neither side is right and brutality and evil are the common link, where do you decide your alliances? And mix in love. Many twists and turns and real life accounts of brutality that happen on the Soviet side and the Nazi side. I questioned my own values and tried to imagine what I would have done in many of these situations. I just don't know when both sides are wrong - who is more wrong. A brutal war and psychological war of the mind. Excellent Narrator!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mona-Alisa
- 30-01-19
Disappointing
I am a great fan of WWII historical fiction. I have read almost all of the well-rated ones. I like the genre because it almost always shows the incredible strength humans possess and the danger they are willing to risk for fellow humans. This one gave very little attention to these human stories. This book is quite confronting from the soldiers point of view on the battlefield. It does help one understand the roll of the USSR versus the Nazis. Overall I found it disturbing in a profound way without redemption. The gruesome scenes where continuous and anyone who has studied WWII knows plenty about the grotesqueness of war.
1 person found this helpful