Walter's Purple Heart cover art

Walter's Purple Heart

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Walter's Purple Heart

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
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About this listen

Michael Steeb is an aimless 21-year-old pot farmer in Central California in the 1980s. He has no real plans or interests...until the day he connects with memories of a life that seems to belong to someone else. That "spirit" is Walter, a young American soldier killed in World War II.

Michael's task is the near-impossible: to lead Walter's family to closure and peace, to deliver the real truth behind Walter's Purple Heart, and to somehow achieve the forgiveness absent for so many years so Walter can move on. Michael sets out to find Walter's best friend, Andrew, and Mary Ann, the fiancée Walter left behind. Mary Ann recognizes Walter in Michael immediately. But Andrew sets out to prove that Michael is the worst sort of con man.

Narrated in large part by Walter from beyond the grave, Walter's Purple Heart is a fast-paced war drama and a deeply felt romance, with a unique twist on the prospect of multiple lives. Catherine Ryan Hyde paints an enduring portrait of a life prematurely lost, and the endless ripples of consequence to those who loved him, in a microcosm that sheds light on the true gravity of war.

©2002 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2017 Tantor Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary War Military

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Critic reviews

"Heartwarming...Hyde has a sure touch with affairs of the heart." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant
Didn’t feel that the narrator was the best fit, Walter was young when he died as was Michael, the narrator has an old voice.
Good characterisation as always with this author and a lot of emotional depth, it’s moving.
I enjoyed it, but not one of my favourites.

Supernatural element worked well for me

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