The Secret Book of Flora Lea

A Novel

By: Patti Callahan Henry

Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo, Patti Callahan Henry

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed.

In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.

But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.

Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?

As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

©2023 Patti Callahan Henry. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Cynthia Erivo’s quiet assurance permeates this dual-timeline audio about the powerful alchemy of storytelling. In 1939, two girls, Hazel and Flora Lea, are evacuated from London to escape imminent war. Flora Lea mysteriously disappears. In 1960, Hazel, now a rare book shop clerk, opens a package and discovers a book of the same stories she once made up to calm Flora Lea. Erivo rarely raises her voice, yet through desperate tones she expertly conveys Hazel’s search for answers to the mysteries of her missing sister and the appearance of the stories from long ago. Erivo seamlessly adopts the charming lilt of young Flora and the American accent of the woman who has unwittingly written the fanciful stories that connect Hazel’s past with her present." (AudioFile Magazine)

What a wonderful book

I loved this book. I read it (listened) almost non stop. This is the story of two young sisters who are evacuated from London during the war. They find a magical fairytale place called Whisperwood to help them survive the losses they suffer. It’s the story of first love, perseverance, fate and the magic of Whisperwood.

Amazing!

The story takes you on an emotional journey and then out of nowhere, the discoveries shake your core! It was magical! My only complaint was the narrator. Her voice was very soothing but the lack of variation made it a little tedious. I kept thinking about how much better it would’ve been with Imogen Church as the narrator.

Good story

This was a weaving tail of a girl who held guilt in her heart for most of her adult life due to the disappearance of her sister. It was a nice story intertwining many characters. Would recommend l.

Excellent

The story and the characters, while fictional, brought to life a part of this world’s history and those that sacrificed and were forever changed by war.

OUTSTANDING

This story will stay with me for a very, very long time. Thank you to the author and to the narrator who did an outstanding job of bringing these characters to life.

WONDERFUL!

A lovely, magical story that pulls you right into it. I loved it! The narrator is excellent!

beautiful

what a perfect mix of historical fiction, magic, lost lost love, forgiveness and mystery. highly recommend.

Engaging read and a beautiful story

I was totally engaged throughout the book and enjoyed the descriptive writing. The story was very sweet.

So well written

Such a beautiful and intricate story with characters you absolutely fall in love with. Captured my heart.

Kept my Interest

Interesting book! I did like the narrator and the story kept my attention. nice twist towards the ending.