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22 Britannia Road: A Novel
A tour de force that echoes modern classics like Suite Francaise and The Postmistress .
"Housekeeper or housewife?" the soldier asks Silvana as she and eight- year-old Aurek board the ship that will take them from Poland to England at the end of World War II. There her husband, Janusz, is already waiting for them at the little house at 22 Britannia Road. But the war has changed them all so utterly that they'll barely recognize one another when they are reunited. "Survivor," she answers.
Silvana and Aurek spent the war hiding in the forests of Poland. Wild, almost feral Aurek doesn't know how to tie his own shoes or sleep in a bed. Janusz is an Englishman now-determined to forget Poland, forget his own ghosts from the way, and begin a new life as a proper English family. But for Silvana, who cannot escape the painful memory of a shattering wartime act, forgetting is not a possibility.
One of the most searing debuts to come along in years, 22 Britannia Road
"Housekeeper or housewife?" the soldier asks Silvana as she and eight- year-old Aurek board the ship that will take them from Poland to England at the end of World War II. There her husband, Janusz, is already waiting for them at the little house at 22 Britannia Road. But the war has changed them all so utterly that they'll barely recognize one another when they are reunited. "Survivor," she answers.
Silvana and Aurek spent the war hiding in the forests of Poland. Wild, almost feral Aurek doesn't know how to tie his own shoes or sleep in a bed. Janusz is an Englishman now-determined to forget Poland, forget his own ghosts from the way, and begin a new life as a proper English family. But for Silvana, who cannot escape the painful memory of a shattering wartime act, forgetting is not a possibility.
One of the most searing debuts to come along in years, 22 Britannia Road
336 pages, Hardcover
Published April 28, 2011
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Hodgkinson
6 books144 followersAmanda Hodgkinson is an award-winning British novelist. Her debut novel 22 Britannia Road was an international bestseller, an Amazon.com book of the year 2011, a Goodreads Choice Award Best Historical Fiction nominee and was published in over sixteen languages. Spilt Milk is her critically acclaimed second novel published in 2014. (Spilt Milk is a refracted version of real life, that impossible mess we inherit and muddle through, yet transmuted here into something shining and meaningful, told in beautiful prose. THE FINANCIAL TIMES.)
In July 2014, Berkeley (Penguin Books) published a novella TIN TOWN by Amanda in Grand Central. Ten bestselling novelists have put together this collection of original stories of postwar love and reunion.
Amanda loves to travel, cook, garden and swim (but not all at the same time). She currently lives in the UK in an old stone cottage high on a hill in the middle of National Trust parkland. Lots of trees!
In July 2014, Berkeley (Penguin Books) published a novella TIN TOWN by Amanda in Grand Central. Ten bestselling novelists have put together this collection of original stories of postwar love and reunion.
Amanda loves to travel, cook, garden and swim (but not all at the same time). She currently lives in the UK in an old stone cottage high on a hill in the middle of National Trust parkland. Lots of trees!
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May 3, 2024WW2 story of loss, secrets and lies. And eventually, enduring love. Silvana and Janusz fall in love in Poland before the war. They are separated as the war begins, Janusz joining the military, Silvana and their son Aurek escaping through the countryside. During the six year interlude before they meet up again in England in 1946 they all experience the horrors of war and survive, but are carrying deep secrets when they meet again.
I listened to this and the narrator has an amazing deep voice and played all the characters well.
I listened to this and the narrator has an amazing deep voice and played all the characters well.
Displaying 1 of 1 review