The Widow and Her Hero [Audio CD]

Thomas Keneally (Author), Beverley Dunn (Translator), David Tredinnick (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2008

'I knew in general terms I was marrying a hero. The burden lay lightly on Leo, and to be a hero's wife in times supposedly suited to the heroic caused a woman to swallow doubt. The Japanese had barely been turned away. It was heresy and unlucky to undermine young men at such a supreme hour.' When Grace married the genial and handsome Captain Leo Waterhouse in Australia in 1943, they were young, in love - and at war. Like many other young men and women, they were ready, willing and able to put the war effort first. They never seriously doubted that they would come through unscathed. But Leo never returned from a commando mission masterminded by his own hero figure, an eccentric and charismatic man who inspired total loyalty from those under his command. The world moved on to new alliances, leaving Grace, like so many widows, to bear the pain of losing the love of her life and wonder what it had all been for. Sixty years on, Grace is still haunted by the tragedy of her doomed hero when the real story of his ill-fated secret mission is at last unearthed. As new fragments of her hero's story emerge, Grace is forced to keep revising her picture of what happened to Leo and his fellow commandoes - until she learns about the final piece in the jigsaw, and the ultimate betrayal.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Touching and gripping until the very last page' -- John Harding, Daily Mail 'Exceptionally good...the work of a master storyteller' -- Allan Massie, Scotsman 'A compelling and deeply persuasive meditation on the moral ambiguities of heroism!a page turner of a thriller as well as an affecting (and very sexy) love story, ingeniously constructed, carefully weighted!a novel of beauty and faith' -- Joseph O'Connor, Irish Times 'Any new work by this master of moral complexity is a matter for rejoicing. He looks into the heart of the human condition with a piercing intelligence that few can match' -- David Robson, Sunday Telegraph 'A subtle examination of heroism! the elegance and economy of this novel are dazzling!This clever, compelling novel asks some uncomfortable questions' -- Penelope Lively, Guardian 'A poignant and touching novel...wonderfully written' -- Angela Cooke, Daily Express The Widow and her Hero is both an absorbing wartime thriller and a thoroughly convincing study of grief -- Sunday Times 20080210 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

THOMAS KENEALLY won the Booker Prize in 1982 with SCHINDLER's ARK, later made into the Academy Award-winning film SCHINDLER's LIST by Steven Spielberg. He has written ten works of non-fiction, including his recent memoir SEARCHING FOR SCHINDLER, and the histories THE COMMONWEALTH OF THIEVES, THE GREAT SHAME and AMERICAN SCOUNDREL, and 27 works of fiction, including THE WIDOW AND HER HERO (shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award), AN ANGEL IN AUSTRALIA and BETTANY'S BOOK. His novels THE CHANT OF JIMMY BLACKSMITH, GOSSIP FROM THE FOREST, and CONFEDERATES were all shortlisted for the Booker Prize, while BRING LARKS AND HEROES and THREE CHEERS FOR THE PARACLETE won the Miles Franklin Award. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Bolinda Publishing; Unabridged edition (February 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1921334495
• ISBN-13: 978-1921334498
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

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