The Warm Hands of Ghosts

A Novel

De: Katherine Arden

Narrado por: Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist, from the author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

“A wonderful clash of fire and ice—a book you won’t want to let go of.”—Diana Gabaldon, author of Outlander

“Spectacular—a tour de force, wonderful and deep and haunting.”—Naomi Novik, author of A Deadly Education

ONE OF BOOKPAGE’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital, where she soon hears whispers about haunted trenches and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely.

©2024 Katherine Arden (P)2024 Random House Audio

3.5 stars. Excellent narration.

I rated this book 3.5 stars. It was a good well-researched story, but I found it dragged in the middle. The imagery of WW1 was compelling, and the characters were well developed. I was happy with how the author ended the book, and the narrators were perfect. I would have rated it higher if it was less repetitive in the middle.

The Whimsy of War

Arden’s authors note at the end of the book perfectly summarizes the macabre enchantment of the era, as does her story as it unfolds with beautiful horror. That said, know that there is plenty of heart and love and hope holding this poetic, historical tale together.

Katherine Arden simply doesn't miss

I bought this book without knowing anything simply because of the blind faith I have in the author. I couldn't have been more pleased. Katherine Arden weaves tales in a way that I haven't read before. I don't read war novels, but this was haunting and important and so so good. The narrators gave a stunning performance. A bad narrator ruins the audiobook experience, but these two enhanced it to the point where I'm just gonna buy some books they've read, cause I know they'll sound lovely even if the story isn't great.

The description of war, what it’s really like and the price that we pay for it.

I liked the vividness the author leant to her characters and her description of war. What it’s really like and what we pay for it.

Harrowingly mystical

Experiences in WW 1 told from the perspective of a brother and sister that breaks your heart, scares you to death and brings the horrors of war alive. The narrations are brilliant. Highly recommend!!

Arden Does It Again

I love the way that Katherine Arden can weave a magical story in real events.

I enjoyed all the characters in this book and the villain was especially appealing to me.

I immediately feel like I need to reread it!

Dark and Creepy and Fabulous

A dark and creepy tale from a master storyteller. Like others, I’d read Ms Arden’s to do list and be thoroughly enthralled. This story was heartbreaking. The two perspectives were intertwined and I knew (knew!) when they merged I would have to brace. How funny (or is it iconic?) is it that a devil (not the devil), Faland, was a fiddle player?! Well done, Ms Arden.

Amazing narration by the two readers and an incredibly heartbreaking story of love and loss and sacrifice.

This story is so stunningly, heartbreakingly beautiful. The horrors of war and the unimaginable loss people experienced during this time are palpable in this book. However, the theme of love is a strong and steady heartbeat throughout it. What wouldn’t I do for my brothers? I’d fight like hell to bring them back too.

Creeps into your bones

It’s impossible for a story about WWI not to linger a bit. As Arden says, it’s not something that gets nearly enough attention (particularly in the US) for how much it shaped the trajectory of the modern world. Arden really took the time to show how people are wounded by war and how not all suffering is surface level.

The pacing is somewhat slow but it doesn’t drag. The story builds over time, and as the pieces come together, it’s easier and easier to see exactly what the author is hoping to accomplish. The end in particular it subtle but powerful.

I love January LaVoy as a narrator but for the purpose of this particular book, Michael Crouch was just okay. It was well told though and I was never taken out of it.

A Departure for Ms. Arden

I am left with very mixed feelings about this book. It seemed quite a departure from The Winternight Trilogy. Maybe it was the horrors of war that made the book difficult to like. I understand the value of reading history and I can enjoy historical fiction but I primarily read to escape. I want to be amazed and entertained. I found it difficult to connect to any of the characters. I actually found myself apathetic to them. It would have been better if I found any of them repellent if liking them was not an option.

The writing itself is beautiful. Katherine Arden is a master when setting a scene. In this book she paints a very bleak picture mud and blood. If I examine the book from a research and writing perspective I think the book was a success. I believe I was the wrong audience.