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A Single Swallow
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey, Adam Verner, Tanya Eby, Feodor Chin, Christopher Lane
- Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
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Summary
The eagerly awaited English translation of award-winning author Zhang Ling’s epic and intimate novel about the devastation of war, forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love.
On the day of the historic 1945 Jewel Voice Broadcast - in which Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender to the Allied forces, bringing an end to World War II - three men, flush with jubilation, made a pact. After their deaths, each year on the anniversary of the broadcast, their souls would return to the Chinese village of their younger days. It’s where they had fought - and survived - a war that shook the world and changed their own lives in unimaginable ways. Now, seventy years later, the pledge is being fulfilled by American missionary Pastor Billy, brash gunner’s mate Ian Ferguson, and local soldier Liu Zhaohu.
All that’s missing is Ah Yan - also known as Swallow - the girl each man loved, each in his own profound way.
As they unravel their personal stories of the war, and of the woman who touched them so deeply during that unforgiving time, the story of Ah Yan’s life begins to take shape, woven into view by their memories. A woman who had suffered unspeakable atrocities, and yet found the grace and dignity to survive, she’d been the one to bring them together. And it is her spark of humanity, still burning brightly, that gives these ghosts of the past the courage to look back on everything they endured and remember the woman they lost.
Critic reviews
"An ensemble of five gifted narrators splendidly conveys the haunting language and imagery in this WWII story." (AudioFile magazine)
“The range of narrators provide a unique voice for each viewpoint character.” (Book Riot)
"Few writers could bring a story about China and other nations together as seamlessly as Zhang Ling. I would suggest it is her merit as an author, and it is the value of her novels." (Mo Yan, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature)
What listeners say about A Single Swallow
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ruth
- 18-07-21
Beautiful
It's been a while since I was touched by a story.
Although it feels like "the Moonstone", it has, to certain extent, reached more scopes and depth. The views of the dogs are welcomed too.
The whole story feels rather real and relevant for the recent and current generations.
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- Nicola
- 19-07-21
Fascinating
Somewhat sentimental in parts but real insight into a time and place. Well written and narrated.
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