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Burning Island
- Narrated by: Diana Croft
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
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Burning Island
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Summary
They were not her children. But she would protect them with her life....
Corfu, 1943. Though they don’t know it, five-year-old Matilde and three-year-old Anna have kissed their mother for the last time. The Nazis have reached their sun-scorched home, and they are being taken to a place of safety, on the northeastern tip of the rocky island. They are to be hidden, at great risk, by kindly Agata and her husband, until the terrible war is over.
Matilde and Anna’s tears are soothed by Agata’s bedtime stories, but she is always alert. So far, no soldiers have ventured down the steep rocky hillside to their secret haven, but Agata knows they are constantly scouring the island for missing Jews. And then, on a day when Agata’s husband is away, a German soldier appears.
Corfu, 2016. Under a baking June sun, Amber and her husband arrive in Corfu from England, hoping for a fresh start. But not everyone is pleased by their arrival, and with the pressures of pregnancy, the couple grow further apart.
Desperate to find a sense of belonging for herself and her unborn child, Amber finds herself drawn to the local story of two little girls, left by their parents and hidden for their own protection. But there are some who would rather Amber left Corfu’s terrible history well in the past.
Can Amber uncover the heart-breaking truth about the two little girls, and what happened after a German soldier took a swim in the bay by their house? If she does, can the secrets of the past help her find happiness or send her running from the island, alone?
A gripping, heart-wrenching, and compelling listen about the shadows at the heart of the sun-drenched island of Corfu and survival against all odds.
Fans of Victoria Hislop's books, The Nightingale, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will fall in love with Burning Island.
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What listeners say about Burning Island
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Miriam
- 05-06-20
Excellent
Though it took me a while to sort out the two storylines. Well constructed and an enjoyable book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Christineb
- 02-02-20
Three Stars
I thought this story was ok not brilliant or too full not to finish but just ok The storyline did have a bit of substance near the end It did feature facts of Corfu involvement in WW2
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 14-03-22
A must!
A compelling listen. Such a good insight into the suffering which occurred on Corfu and the after effects of the war there. Beautifully narrated.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- SandraL
- 09-02-20
Heartbreaking
I have holidayed in Corfu a couple of times but knew nothing of what happened to the Jews during the German occupation in 1944.
The book takes place in two different periods, 1944 and 2006/7. Amber and James's story was given much more prominence in the book, and although I enjoyed hearing about how they ended up on Corfu, building up their business, it became a bit repetitive. The 1944 time period was much more absorbing and I wish this had featured more prominently. The plight of the Jews is sensitively written but Isaac, Perla and Rebekka's inhuman journey to Auschwitz was heartbreaking to read and quite a few tears were shed. Anna and Matilde's story was also totally engaging.
I didn't connect very much with the present day characters, apart from Inge and Marion, but the characters from 1944 were all brilliantly written.
The historical notes at the end of the book were very poignant. The author has obviously researched the subject very well.
Excellent narration by Diana Croft who did a great job with all the different voices.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- niamh bonner
- 11-02-20
Interesting history of Corfu
Thus is an interesting book. It tells 2 stories set in Corfu. It made me wistful for vine draped terraces and good food. The stories are set 60 odd years apart. Both interesting and informative.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Bethany Gordon
- 28-02-20
Interesting
A dual time frame novel, set in 1944 and the present on Corfu. It interweaved what happened to the Corfu Jewish population with a modern day story. The 1944 story was really interesting as it was a fiction version of what happened in 1944, a story I wasn't aware of in the Island's history. The modern day story brought to life the island and locations used in the story however I wasn't as keen on this element of the story as I didn't really connect with the characters, finding the historical aspects much more absorbing. The story moved along well and the historical notes at the end were interesting.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Maggie Kiely
- 06-02-20
Great read
This is the story of James and Amber in modern times with a split timeline to Matilda and Anna two Jewish children during World War II
The children were hidden and protected by an older couple in Corfu called Georgiou and Agnes
It is interesting to see how the two time periods are intertwined in the beautiful island of Corfu with the Mediterranean sea as a backdrop
James and Amber move to Corfu to start a new life yet they do not know what heartbreak faces them. They start a dream restaurant make new acquaintances and friends. What faces them is the breakdown of their lives together with the loss of their home and lifestyle
Amber learns of the story of the Jewish people living on the island during the war and how they were transported by cattle cars to Auschwitz. For most, the trip brought death and the gas chamber their destiny at their destination.
Both stories were well told and I wanted to read at every opportunity. It is thrilling and heartbreaking in equal measure.
It is particularly apt at the moment with the 75th Anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau liberation I loved this book and would recommend.
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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
- TG
- 06-02-20
What a cracking listen!
5* for narrator who was excellent and 5* for the story. I was engrossed from the beginning, loved the characters and the two stories. A truly great book, thoroughly enjoyed it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Mrs K Brown
- 22-12-22
Disappointed
I normally love this type of novel, historical mixed with up to date story lines. I found this one tedious. The present day storyline was boring and the narration grated on me. I gave up half way through. I felt it could have been so much better. Very disappointing!!
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