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The Orphan Sisters
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 12 hrs
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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The usual great story
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Summary
A heartbreaking, enthralling and utterly unforgettable World War 2 story of two young sisters cruelly abandoned by their mother at an orphanage.
1929: four-year-old Etty and eight-year-old Dorothy are abandoned at Blakely Hall orphanage by their mother, never to see her again. With no other family to speak of, the sisters worship their beloved mam - and they are confused and heartbroken to be deserted by her when they need her the most.
1940: Etty and Dorothy are finally released from the confines of Blakely Hall - but their freedom comes when the country is in the grip of World War Two and its terrors. Amidst a devastating backdrop of screaming air-raid sirens and cold nights huddled in shelters, the sisters are desperate to put their broken childhoods behind them.
But trouble lies ahead. Dorothy must bid good-bye to her beloved husband when he’s sent to war, and Etty must nurse a broken heart as she falls in love with the one man she can never be with.
Etty and Dorothy survived the orphanage with the help of one another, and neither sister can forget the awful betrayal of their mother, which has haunted them their whole lives. But when a shocking secret about their painful childhood comes to light, will the sisters ever be the same again?
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What listeners say about The Orphan Sisters
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ms
- 31-05-19
The orphan sisters
Very enjoyable looking forward to the next book. The wonderful Anne Dover made this possible
3 people found this helpful
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- Kay
- 18-07-19
Emotional turmoil....
Really loved the story line...so well written kept you interested and wanting more. The bond between the sisters and the truths coming out...and the sad followed by the happy content ending...looking forward to your other books...thank you...
1 person found this helpful
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- Jeanette
- 05-03-21
Amazing story
if this is how good her first book is, I can't wait for her next one
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- Anonymous User
- 30-01-21
Beautiful Story with emotional roller coasters .
A lovely story. full of emotions
read beautifully by Anne Dover
really enjoyed it.
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- pat eunson
- 30-01-21
The orphan sisters
Had me gripped from the first till last pages characters were brought to life and could visualise them super book cannot wait for more from Shirley
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-10-20
A lovely read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book , full of interesting characters . It drew me in from the first page and by the end I felt I had got to know the sisters personally .
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- Patrick Dee
- 30-08-20
Beautiful story
I was absolutely bowled over by this book, it was so beautiful, one of the best books I have read in my life and I am 53, I started to listen to audio books around 1 year ago and haven’t stopped , the narration is the heart and souls of the story, this was narrated so wonderfully, I could see the characters, thank you Shirley and thank you Anne.
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- Mrs L J Hay
- 15-08-20
One of the Best.
It’s wonderful to find a book that captures you right from the beginning and this one is exactly that.
Just had to continue reading every time I sat down.
An author I shall keep as a favourite.
Linda H
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- L/p
- 11-04-20
excellent book and excellent narrator
This book has kept us captivated and was enhanced by a fantastic narrator.we cannot wait for the next book written by this author and narrated by anne dover
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- Country lass
- 08-01-20
Excellent first book
I was hooked on this book from start to finish and the excellent narration by Anne Dover brings all the characters to life. Definitely would recommend it
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- Melissa L S
- 18-09-19
Excellent story. PG-13+
The book is well-written and I enjoyed most of it very much. I could have done without the sexual references (a hand on the bulge in a man's pants, playing with a girl's nipple, etc. Not exactly rated R, but not what I care to read). They are not necessary for the story and are the only portion of the story that makes it seem smutty. I would recommend it to family, if it weren't for those sections.
9 people found this helpful
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- M. Ryder
- 22-06-19
Unique Look At Life During War
This story was well written and performed. It pulled at my heart strings. I loved hearing about the unbreakable bond between the sisters, and felt that the author did a great job of bringing her characters to life. The listener really gets to know them, and will become emotionally attached to them and the story’s outcome, as did I. Despite war being the backdrop, the actual story is about family, and the choices we make, and how those choices effect our lives. Get ready to shed a few tears. Beautifully presented. I was so invested in the book, that I finished it in just two days. Definitely worth downloading!
5 people found this helpful
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- Debra
- 14-01-20
Couldn’t stop listening!!!
Heartbreaking, all consuming, I felt like I was there!!! I just didn’t want it to end! Such informative history and memories that encompassed Great Britain during WW11. Much sadness, but much gratefulness as well!!!
1 person found this helpful
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- Mimi
- 03-03-21
Heartwarming story
Loved this book. The descriptive passages about the bombing of Britain were terrifying and true to life. My mother was British and she described hearing the planes flying over the city and the sound of bombs dropping and the horrifying aftermath of a bombing run. The bond between the sisters was very heartwarming and the family dynamics of some of the characters was very believable. So many of the characters I could relate to because of their personalities and traits. I love this period of history and the author captured the characters and localities perfectly. I'm sure life in an orphanage was much like the one described here and many were much worse. The only downside was the sad ending for some of the main characters. I would have liked to see them live happily ever after. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys this period of history. And I am looking forward to more from this author.
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- Kelly
- 25-02-21
A fabulous book
A great book about the love and bond of sisters, who respected and accepted each other where they were at with what life brought them both of the decisions others made and their own. A book about forgiveness, encouragement and working at being a better person no matter what comes at you in life.
This book also reminds us to not forget the tragic that comes from war and what is expected of all when faced with it.... and acknowledging the wrongs that came with war so as not to repeat it in how we treat people
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- Anne W.
- 20-02-21
Dorothy And Etty
I enjoyed the story very much. I don't recall a full moment. When Dorothy left Etty it was heart wrenching but was glad the Trevor came to his senses!
the narrator was very good with emotion in her voice and clarity.
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- Brian Lee
- 13-01-21
Shirley Dickson is fabulous!!
Had the best time listening to this book it will take you on a fabulous adventure you won't forget it A+++ to Shirley my new favorite author
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- Penelopesmommy
- 04-01-21
Enthralling story
This was one book I couldn't stop myself from finishing as soon as I possibly could. The story was well written, and I couldn't wait to find out more. It had me in tears more than once. Lovely job.
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- Patricia Lord
- 16-12-20
Heartwarming , Family, Love, Hope, War,
I love Shirley Dickson easy reading .
I loved each character and how you felt as tho you knew them personally.
Great book , could not put it down .
Love audible !!!!!
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- Donnakp1954
- 21-11-20
The Orphan Sisters
Loved this book and the narrator. I cried and cried at different times while listening to this audible book. Great story of love and forgiveness!!