The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy

 

I've had The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy in my 'to be read' pile for quite a long time. 

I fintally listened to the unabridged audio version of The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy and narrated by Michael Page. 

Listening time for The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy is 9 hours, 51 minutes.

I truly enjoyed this novel! It's a retelling of Hansel and Gretel set in Poland  during World War II. I love historical fiction. When done right, fairytale retellings are excellent and The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy is done very well!

I liked the pace of this novel. The writing is excellent. I enjoyed the characters in this novel too as they are well developed. The entire book is good, but the chapter titled, The Oven, is a difficult one to read in this novel and truly pulled on my emotional heartstrings. I also enjoyed the last chapter's message as well. I highly recommend The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy.

Below is the publisher's summary for the The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy from Chirp's website:

In the last months of the Nazi occupation of Poland, two children are left by their father and stepmother to find safety in a dense forest. Because their real names will reveal their Jewishness, they are renamed “Hansel” and “Gretel”. They wander in the woods until they are taken in by Magda, an eccentric and stubborn old woman called “witch” by the nearby villagers. Magda is determined to save them, even as a German officer arrives in the village with his own plans for the children.Combining classic themes of fairy tales and war literature, Louise Murphy's haunting novel of journey and survival, of redemption and memory, powerfully depicts how war is experienced by families and especially by children. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel tells a resonant, riveting story.

I am giving The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!