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The Orphan Sisters
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 12 hrs
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Simply Fabulous
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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
Average customer ratingsReviews - 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
4 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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- Cupcake7
- 12-04-22
lovely book
lovely book. It actually made me cry at one part. I couldn't stop until I had finished it. I also love the narrator.
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- lili
- 18-11-21
Wonderful book
Really enjoyed this book. Great storyline and well researched. Looked forward every night to listening to it and also to the wonderful narrator.
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- dawnie
- 16-09-21
Wonderful
I have read lots of books and this is one of my most favourite of all time. It was so easy to listen to and uncomplicated with a wonderful moving story that I don’t think I will ever forget and it was lovely and I will be giving it to my sister to read as I know she will get as much joy out of it as I did. Excellent 5 stars
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- Eilidh
- 11-08-21
Brilliant
Wonderful book, didn’t want it to end. Can’t wait to hear more from this author. Narrator was very good also. Definitely recommend!
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- Sonia paine
- 10-04-21
The orphan sisters
I found this book a great read. It was a heart warming read and obviously sad at times. I just like books to be straight forward interesting and down to earth of how life was for people in the war.
Although to young to of experienced the war. It is good for other generations to know what life was like back then.
I have also read Shirleys other books which are linked but can be read independently.
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- Sue
- 13-03-21
The orphan sisters
Love the book from the beginning to the end didn't want to put it down!! And I had a few tears listening to it
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- lorinda
- 08-03-21
Wonderful story
Wat a Lovley book sad and happy times of the sister gripped me till the end xx
Ok
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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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- 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.
15 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!
6 people found this helpful
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- Sheila McCormick
- 17-11-20
A must listen!
A heartwarming and heart-wrenching story which seems very true to how those lives might’ve been. Shirley’s wonderful writing, detailed history, crafted characters and imagination brought to life for me this period and the enormous stress and terrible events people endured. The ending was full of optimism, important for me. Congratulations on this debut novel.
The narrator was easy to listen to with a very pleasant voice and authentic regional accents. I enjoyed it very much. I’ve listened to Shirley’s next books too and in my opinion, she is one of the best novelists who write about WW2. I can’t wait for others by her.
4 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer K Y
- 27-09-21
WOW amazing 1st book
I enjoyed the orphan's sisters very much. A good glimpse into history of what happened to children of parents during wartime. Shirley wrote a phenomenal 1st book. Looking forward to more books written by her. I highly recommend Orphan sisters. Heart warming and tearful at times.
2 people found this helpful
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- "cstyles118"
- 13-09-21
tearjerker
A wonderful book but my gosh, I haven't ugly cried like that in a long time. You are so emotionally attached to the main characters that everything is just raw and heart wrenching.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 15-08-21
great till the epilogue
the only reason it's not five stars is the decision to go back on the pivotal plot point of why the mother left the kids in the epilogue. that was a central point of the story and you decided to change it at the very end of the book to make the character likable again? felt like the author lost courage to make the mother "bad" (sorry trying not to give away spoilers)
2 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!!!
2 people found this helpful
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- Jess
- 13-02-22
A good first book, very good narration
Although I was upset about May and Ettie both falling into the same trap with the same guy, Etty was unexpectedly plucky. I loved her character. The story moves along well, and I was pleasantly surprised at the character development and the unexpected storyline.
1 person found this helpful
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- Laura
- 23-10-21
Wonderful touching story!
This story revolves around a bond between two sisters; through their youth,lingo adulthood and a . war. The authors superb writing kept me interested and anticipating every chapter! Do yourself a favor and select this authors premier novel !
1 person found this helpful
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- Lynda
- 04-09-21
Emotional
What a story!!! An epic journey that leaves you wanting for more. The characters are real it seems, there struggles, the love, the hope, the frailty. Your rooting for a happy ending and a continuation for these characters in another Novel.
WONDERFULLY WRITTEN and Narration.
1 person found this helpful