The Story She Left Behind

A Novel

De: Patti Callahan Henry

Narrado por: Julia Whelan, Theo Solomon

“Brilliant, riveting, so beautifully written, impossible to put down.” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

©2025 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

Indie Next April 2025 Pick

LibraryReads March 2025 Pick

Outstanding

What a totally awesome book. Narration was superb. I would highly recommend this book as it is one of the best book I’ve read in years.

Great historical fiction

Based on many true events! Excellent narration. Loved this story;) Liked the duo for narration

An Exquisite Story

Listening on Audible, we were transported to the Lake District, into interchange with the wondrous characters, inspired and renewed to live creatively, and fully! Thank you, Patti! Never stop writing, and reminding us of the mysterious beautiful power of forgiveness!!!

This is the best book I’ve listened to this year. Enjoy!

Loved everything about it. I was captivated within the first ten minutes. I especially loved Winnie.

Stunningly lyrical and beautiful

This is a book I will think about for a long time after finishing. The language was eloquent and lyrical, but the story itself was also captivating. This is a gorgeous story of love, forgiveness, and appreciation of art and nature. It examines what it means to be family and what we do for those we love. The landscape of both South Carolina and Cumbria are characters in the novel and the descriptions make me want to visit both. This was a unique story that wound history with charm and whimsy.

Beautiful imagery and use of words.

The thing I love most about this book is how beautifully it represented the relationship between a mother and her only child daughter, as I have a very special relationship with my only child daughter. As a little girl my daughter loved when I read to her the stories of Beatrix Potter. We also share a love of the coastal lands off Georgia and North Carolina—and we love visiting England almost as much. This book was a wonderful mixture of all these things!

A warm hug

If you’re looking for a warm hug of a book, this is it. I love the dual narration, and Julia Whelan is the queen as usual!

Beautiful storytelling!

This book brought you into the hearts of the characters. The settings were described with so much detail it transported you to that place, London, South Carolina, the Lake District of England. Beautifully crafted!

Meaningful

This was my second book of Patti’s to listen to and my heart is deeply touched by the beauty and meaning tucked inside this interesting and surprising story. I also truly appreciate the authors direct connection with us as readers. Her voice conveys her heart and she feels like a friend. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to listen to this story as well as the story of Flora Lea. Thank you, Patti! 💙

The beautiful writing. The story is so unusual, the characters are so well described.

Great story. Definitely at the top of my list of best books. The history in England at the time is woven in to a most unique story of relationships scenery. There’s a bit thrown in about one of the best known children’s authors of the day. The mystery of some characters in the
book is most enjoyable.