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The Nature of Fragile Things cover art

The Nature of Fragile Things

By: Susan Meissner
Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins, Jason Culp
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Summary

April 18, 1906: A massive earthquake rocks San Francisco just before daybreak, igniting a devouring inferno. Lives are lost, lives are shattered, but some rise from the ashes forever changed.

Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin's silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin's odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn't right. 

Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved. 

The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear.

From the acclaimed author of The Last Year of the War and As Bright as Heaven comes a gripping novel about the bonds of friendship and mother love, and the power of female solidarity.

Praise for The Nature of Fragile Things 

“A mysterious web of lies, love, and loss that accelerates toward the inevitable: the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906." (Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names)

“A riveting tale set in 1906 San Francisco. These fascinating characters' hidden pasts and dark secrets collide, entwine, and explode - and that's before the earthquake hits." (Greer Macallister, author of The Magician's Lie and The Arctic Fury)

“In the ashes of San Francisco's greatest tragedy, one remarkable woman finds love, friendship, and the means to rebuild. Historical fiction that reads with the urgency and suspense of a thriller.” (Lauren Willig, New York Times best-selling author of The Summer Country)

“Driven by the unstoppable force of the three intriguing women at its heart, this is a novel to savor, and one to share with all the women in your life whom you admire." (Hazel Gaynor, New York Times best-selling author of When We Were Young & Brave)

©2021 Susan Meissner (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Meissner spins an exceptional story.... Unexpected and masterfully crafted twists and turns abound.... Ingeniously plotted and perfectly structured, this captivates from beginning to end.” (Publisher's Weekly, starred review) 

“A terrific tale that takes us on a harrowing cable-car ride through early 20th-century San Francisco, where dark secrets - like the city itself - crack wide open, forcing our world-weary heroine to confront the devastation done by the lies she's been told and by the lies she's still telling.” (Stephanie Dray, author of America’s First Daughter and The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“A brilliant story of resilience and the power of female friendship." (Marie Benedict, New York Times best-selling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie)
 

What listeners say about The Nature of Fragile Things

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Well written and beautifully narrated!

Loved this book. The narrator has a beautiful voice and accent and the story is fascinating. Very well-written.

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Amazing depiction of the great earthquake and the strength of the woman who survived it

Great characterisation- I lived the story for two days! Grew to love all the girls!

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Amazing story unlike any other!

This story, beautifully narrated with an attractive Irish lilt, is set in America during the time of the 1906 earthquake. A woman answers an advert to marry a man she’s never met! What happens is totally engrossing, facilitated by the thorough research carried out by the author. A story of loss but also of love. I was riveted & moved to write a review.


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Involving, intriguing and tender story

Fixated on this story from the opening. It unfolded with such great narration that really brought it to life. Great story line, great character and perfect narration.

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Loved this book

Narration was lovely, an Irish lilt made this a pleasure to listen to. Wonderful story that scoops you up and transports you to another time, with a clever little ending.

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Throughly Enjoyable

5* star listen. Loved this story, worthy of a credit. Highly recommended, a story of Love, Loss, Betrayal, Humanity & Friendship.

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Incredible story, highly recommend.

This book is amazing, narrator excellent, my heart is still pounding. Highly recommend this book.

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Loved how real this story felt

This beautifully narrated story revealed the reality of the SF quake within a powerful story with many twists and unexpected turns.

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An enjoyable read

Looking for something different this was really good I immediately become immersed it was fascinating The characters where well drawn out and storyline was great I enjoyed the narration Finished this in two nights

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Great story!

Really enjoyable listen with an unpredictable storyline with twists and turns 😊 I recommend this book which is also well narrated

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