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The Ragged Edge of Night Audio CD – CD, October 1, 2018

by Olivia Hawker (Author, Reader), Nick Sandys (Reader)

4.4 40,286 ratings

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For fans of All the Light We Cannot See, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, and The Nightingale comes an emotionally gripping, beautifully written historical novel about extraordinary hope, redemption, and one man’s search for light during the darkest times of World War II.

Germany, 1942. Franciscan friar Anton Starzmann is stripped of his place in the world when his school is seized by the Nazis. He relocates to a small German hamlet to wed Elisabeth Herter, a widow who seeks a marriage―in name only―to a man who can help raise her three children. Anton seeks something too―atonement for failing to protect his young students from the wrath of the Nazis. But neither he nor Elisabeth expects their lives to be shaken once again by the inescapable rumble of war.

As Anton struggles to adapt to the roles of husband and father, he learns of the Red Orchestra, an underground network of resisters plotting to assassinate Hitler. Despite Elisabeth’s reservations, Anton joins this army of shadows. But when the SS discovers his schemes, Anton will embark on a final act of defiance that may cost him his life―even if it means saying goodbye to the family he has come to love more than he ever believed possible.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Harrowing and yet life-affirming, told in the richest, most eloquent prose, The Ragged Edge of Night is one of the World War II novels that will stand out and be remembered.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child

“…Emotionally charged and beautifully written…Olivia Hawker shows that life can move forward and unexpected love can triumph, even when it strikes the most unlikely people during brutal years of conflict. This is an unusual story based on a true one, making it all the more fascinating and satisfying.” —Ann Howard Creel, bestselling author of The Whiskey Sea

“When the world is at war, can one person make a difference? This moving historical novel immerses readers in World War II-era Germany, where even small acts of resistance have terrible consequences…Eye-opening and ultimately inspiring.” —Elizabeth Blackwell, author of On a Cold Dark Sea

“Set in Nazi Germany, The Ragged Edge of the Night is a powerful story of a priest turned husband turned resistance leader. Hateful forces had grown so powerful that they destroyed a nation and were marching on to threaten the world. In the face of such power it would be easy to grow complacent and hopeless, but this story of a simple man making the difficult choice to fight for his deepest values reminds us of the best of humanity.” —Laila Ibrahim, author of Yellow Crocus

“An introspective, poignant voyage through one man’s struggle to reconcile his past. A beautifully written book highlighting the senseless choices that good people were forced to make.” —Gemma Liviero, bestselling author of Pastel Orphans and Broken Angels

About the Author

Through unexpected characters and vivid prose, Olivia Hawker explores the varied landscape of the human spirit. Olivia’s interest in genealogy often informs her writing. Her first two novels from Lake Union Publishing, The Ragged Edge of Night and One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow (2019), are based on true stories found within the author’s family tree. She lives in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, where she homesteads at Longlight, a one-acre microfarm dedicated to sustainable permaculture practices.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brilliance Audio; Unabridged edition (October 1, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Audio CD ‏ : ‎ 12 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1543698549
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1543698541
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.13 x 5.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,112,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,406 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- #10,257 in 20th Century Historical Fiction (Books)
- #19,232 in Books on CD

Customer Reviews:
4.4 40,286 ratings

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Libbie Hawker
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Libbie Hawker writes historical and literary fiction featuring complex characters and rich details of time and place. She lives in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, but has previously lived in Seattle; Bellingham, WA; Tacoma, WA; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Although the majority of her books are self-published, she also partners with Lake Union Publishing on select titles.
She has held a broad and bizarre range of "day jobs" while pursuing a career as a novelist. Included among these are zoo keeper, show dog handler, bookseller, and yarn dyer.
Libbie's writerly influences are varied, and include Hilary Mantel, Vladimir Nabokov, Annie Dillard, Michael Ondaatje, George R. R. Martin, songwriter Neko Case, and mixed-media storyteller Chris Onstad, among others.
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Olivia Hawker
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Olivia Hawker is the pen name of American author Libbie Grant. Olivia writes historical "book club" fiction, for which she has appeared on the Washington Post bestseller list and has been a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Willa Literary Award. Her novel One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, a favorite of readers around the world, was among Amazon's Top 100 Bestselling Books of 2020. Under her real name, she writes literary fiction, and—via her podcast, Future Saint of a New Era—experiments with modern storytelling techniques that transcend the limitations of the printed word. A permanent resident of Canada, she divides her time between Victoria, BC and the San Juan Islands of Washington State. For more information, please visit hawkerbooks.com.
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

40,286 global ratings

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Amy A

well written, serious, but fun read

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024

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I enjoyed the reader of this story. I enjoyed the fun elements the author incorporated. It was interesting to me to learn of how there were towns that were not completely ravaged by the nazi’s. It was good to hear that for such a horrific war.

One person found this helpful

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Ashley hudson

Very good

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024

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Very detailed, wish the book hadn't ended. I was very into the story line. Beautiful ending with a twist. Must read

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Great historical fiction

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024

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This book takes you into a small town in Germany during the reign of Hitler and the Nazi regime. The characters are believable, ordinary citizens, and shows their strength . A great read.

3 people found this helpful

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Sharry

Best book I've ever read!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024

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I'm old & always a bookworm. That this book is also pertinent to today doesn't hurt.
Thank you for recreating a reality in such a heartfelt way.
Also the first book I've read on years using proper English, spelling & punctuation, so I KNOW that you pay attention to the details. Add to that you told a beautiful story without ruining it with details that are nearly pornographic. Other authors could learn much from you!
I'm watching for all of your books now & sharing this one with everyone I can!!

5 people found this helpful

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Gary Moreau, Author

A crowded genre but a unique lens here

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2019

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The Nazi genre is a fairly crowded one but it deserves to be and this book takes a somewhat different angle to the period. The setting is a small rural German town and the characters are virtually all German, some of whom resist, a few of whom support the Reich, but most of whom are just trying to survive the war and come to grips with the atrocities they know their government is committing.

It is well written and an easy read. Perfect for those looking for a good story and a bit of distraction but who don’t want to plunge into the psychosis of the war. More than anything it is an exploration of the inevitable human question of when to make a stand against what we know is wrong and when to protect ourselves and those around us. Inevitably, that becomes an exploration of guilt and how to cope with it.

The protagonist, a former friar, loves music and ultimately uses music to protect the youth of his village from Nazi indoctrination. And in the process he offers some wonderful insight into both the beauty and power of music. It is, in its way, more powerful than poetry and literature, although they have their unique powers as well.

There is a romantic thread, as is inevitable, and it is more than predictable, if not clichéd. I think that’s understandable, however. This is a book of historical fiction although it is built upon a real life story and romance, in real life, is always a bit clichéd at this point.

All told, it is a poignant story, well told. If you like a good read that doesn’t press you too hard, I believe you will enjoy it.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Reader

A good story but not great.

Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024

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After reading One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, I was excited to read this book. However it didn't grab me, so a bit of disappointment.

One person found this helpful

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Gatormom

One of my favorite historical novels!

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024

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As a fan of historical novels, this was one really tugged at my heart. It was interesting, entertaining and thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read novel and learned so much, and was utterly surprised that it was a true story! Being based on truth made me love this book even more. What a wonderful storyteller Olivia Hawker is!

One person found this helpful

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Memphis Mom

A Great Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024

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If you like historical fiction and especially that about the second world war you should not miss this one. It is based on fact and is one hard to put down. Trust me; you'll like it!

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

Wow!

Reviewed in Canada on February 21, 2024

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Yet another angle of WW2 that I haven't read much about. I found this book to be deeply moving and very interesting. The characters were believable, well described, and easy for me to see and hear in my mind. I've stumbled across an author who I know I will read from again.

joanne957476

Better than I expected

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2024

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In all honesty it was one of those "you read A so we think you'll like B' things, which so rarely work out.
This time they were spot on. The two aspects of the story are brought together really well and I enjoyed it enormously.

Jesus Garcia

Interesting and insightful

Reviewed in Mexico on April 25, 2021

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I’m not a fan of the 1940s so it was not likely I would give a high score to this book. However it did prove to be an interesting and insightful book. Plus it helps to know that it is inspired by a true story.

Christiane Holbrook

Wonderful book

Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2020

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As a German whose first language is English, it was a wonderful surprise to be able to read about a true German story of heroism. Incredibly well written!