The Lost Wife

A Novel

By: Alyson Richman

Narrated by: George Guidall, Suzanne Toren

In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there's an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers. Providence is giving Lenka and Josef one more chance. From the glamorous ease of life in Prague before the Occupation, to the horrors of Nazi Europe, The Lost Wife explores the power of first love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the strength of memory.

©2011 Alyson Richman (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Thoughtful, sad but engrossing love story

Over the span of 60 + years, thru WW!! and concentration camps, 2 young Czech lovers stories are told by fabulous George Guidall as Josef and Suzanne as Lenka. This is a novel that translates wonderfully to audiobook, especially with such talented narrators.

Alyson Richman gives a brief synopsis at the end of the book about who the characters are modeled after and much of the story is fictionalized history. I was born in 1943 and it amazed me to think that I was a happy well fed baby with no fears, raised in Los Angeles with my mom and dad and grandparents while in Europe babies my age were being starved to death or simply murdered. Books like this are important-we must never forget.

The story is haunting and can't help but be very sad, but the inner strength of some of the people makes me wonder if people today could endure what these families went thru with the same courage and grace.

5 Stars-everyone should listen to this if only for its historical value.

Lovely and heartbreaking.

What made the experience of listening to The Lost Wife the most enjoyable?

This book captured me from the start.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I sat in my car and cried at the end.

Beautifully written and narrated!

This book is very well written and the narrators make it complete. I have read and listened to many books on the Jewish Holocaust, this one took my breath away. It is a love story and a courageous survival story. Make sure you listen to the authors comments at the end of the book.

If you start it, It will not let you go.

The Lost Wife is a poignant and powerful story of love, personal strength, and hardship in war torn Czechoslovakia. Told from two voices, one a Jewish doctor who escapes the holocaust and the other his young wife who is sent to a concentration camp. Their separate stories cover over sixty years. This powerful book is not to be missed.

Highly Recommend This Book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lost Wife to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! The narrators were fantastic and brought the story to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The enduring love - of family, and of the 2 main characters. It was beautifully written.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall and Suzanne Toren ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

George Guidall has been a favorite since I first began listening to books. Suzanne Toren was also wonderful and I will look specifically for other books she has narrated.

A very good story that's well read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The whole book

Have you listened to any of George Guidall and Suzanne Toren ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you could rename The Lost Wife, what would you call it?

The title is already good and wouldn't change it.

Any additional comments?

I will look for additional books by both reader and writer

Well done!

A moving narrative rich with Holocaust history and the pain of loss. How do you keep living when you've lost the love of your life? You won't regret reading The Lost Wife.

Power of First Love AND art history

What made the experience of listening to The Lost Wife the most enjoyable?

The pace and my two FAVORITE narrators, George Guidall and Suzanne Toren.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is based on some truths about the history of paintings from the hand of prisoners of war in concentration camps and a beautiful love story.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall and Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

Josef was my favorite

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

First love...Only love.

Any additional comments?

the narrators were so perfect...they could read a cereal box and i'd enjoy it. the author's detail was so exquisite; from the description of a face to the portrayal of an emotion. the ending was not as satisfying as i would have hoped; but that is the romantic in me. I will read Alyson Richman again! don't miss this book!

Not for the Feint of Heart

I thought this was an excellent book. Lucky for me, I had visited Prague a few years back so I could truly envision the surroundings. My family was from Prague and Budapest. Quite a few never left the camps.

Enthralling!

This book kept my attention from start to finish, the story was heartbreaking, yet heartwarming. I felt like the characters were my family!