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While Paris Slept: A mother faces a heartbreaking choice in this bestselling story of love and courage in World War 2 cover art

While Paris Slept: A mother faces a heartbreaking choice in this bestselling story of love and courage in World War 2

By: Ruth Druart
Narrated by: Luke Thompson, Frazer Hadfield, Heather Long, Jane Collingwood
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Summary

On a platform in occupied Paris, a mother whispers goodbye. 

It is the end. 

But also the beginning. 

Beautiful. Powerful. Unforgettable. A stunning portrait of the brutality of war and the tenacity of love. In the tradition of Virginia Baily's Early One Morning and M. L. Stedman's The Light Between Oceans.

Paris 1944

A young woman's future is torn away in a heartbeat. Herded on to a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope.

Santa Cruz 1953

Jean-Luc thought he had left it all behind. The scar on his face a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi Occupation. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door.

On a darkened platform, two destinies become entangled. Their choice will change the future in ways neither could have imagined.

Beginning on an ordinary day and ending on an extraordinary one, While Paris Slept is an unforgettable listen. 

©2021 Ruth Druart (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic reviews

"What a book.... Emotional and heartrending...absolutely phenomenal. I was on tenterhooks throughout. A wonderful achievement." (Jill Mansell)

"Both epic and intimate, this unexpected story had me completely and utterly enraptured. You'll have your heart in your mouth and tears on your cheeks as it reaches its rich, life-affirming conclusion." (Louise Candlish)

"While Paris Slept made me think and cry and rage and smile at mankind's capacity for both beautiful, selfless love and terrible, heartbreaking cruelty. Prepare to be thoroughly engrossed in this compelling book." (Natasha Lester)

What listeners say about While Paris Slept: A mother faces a heartbreaking choice in this bestselling story of love and courage in World War 2

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Absolutely beautiful story

I really loved this audio it was narrated brilliantly l loved the characters and felt totally invested in all of them Amazing storyline so different from other war novels Felt compassion for the couple who essentially saved the baby the treatment was atrocious considering they truly believed the couple had been murdered but times where different Brilliant story

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Felt a bit disappointed

The story was well written, but after developing the characters and storyline in the first half of the story, I felt they had been abandoned in the second half. I was angry in places. Not sure I want to read another by this author

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best book ever

loved the emotion in the story..and having an understanding of what it was like in Paris during the war..the story grips you..when they are scared you feel the fear..when they are upset you feel their pain...hated it finishing.

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very good

well written story. good read. very well narrated. liked that there was more than one read felt more like a film thank you

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A must read

This is such a heartbreaking story which is so beautifully written, I felt empathy for every single character. It had so many moments when I held my breath and felt the turmoil they were going through. It’s narrated so well too, Highly recommended!

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Captivating story.

Such a well narrated and captivating story. I listened to it on audible and took every chance to continue working through the chapters. The characters become well known as each chapter develops and it is thought provoking throughout. I have downloaded this authors second book and look forward to reading her future novels. Thank you for such a touching story.

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A very moving story.

A wonderful, painful, moving, awful, lovely story! Superbly produced, very clear to follow despite the flashbacks and various characters. I fully recommend this to anyone who has any interest in the human stories of World War 2.

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Incredible

Really enjoyed this book, I literally couldn’t put it down, so well written and the narration also excellent

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Emotional

Quite a story of suffering and trauma. From the start I was hooked drawn into occupied and war torn Paris by the seemingly authentic details.

At times it felt over written and ‘cheesy’ but I had to listen to the end … else I’d feel complicit in their suffering.

Nature versus nurture … what is a parent…

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Brilliant.

I loved this book, narration was perfect. This fantastic story would make a great film.

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