A Bend in the Stars

By: Rachel Barenbaum

Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Edoardo Ballerini

All the Light We Cannot See meets The Nightingale in this literary WWI-era novel and epic love story of a brilliant young doctor who races against Einstein to solve one of the universe's great mysteries.
In Russia, in the summer of 1914, as war with Germany looms and the Czar's army tightens its grip on the local Jewish community, Miri Abramov and her brilliant physicist brother, Vanya, are facing an impossible decision. Since their parents drowned fleeing to America, Miri and Vanya have been raised by their babushka, a famous matchmaker who has taught them to protect themselves at all costs: to fight, to kill if necessary, and always to have an escape plan. But now, with fierce, headstrong Miri on the verge of becoming one of Russia's only female surgeons, and Vanya hoping to solve the final puzzles of Einstein's elusive theory of relativity, can they bear to leave the homeland that has given them so much?
Before they have time to make their choice, war is declared and Vanya goes missing, along with Miri's fiancé. Miri braves the firing squad to go looking for them both. As the eclipse that will change history darkens skies across Russia, not only the safety of Miri's own family but the future of science itself hangs in the balance.
Grounded in real history -- and inspired by the solar eclipse of 1914 -- A Bend in the Stars offers a heart-stopping account of modern science's greatest race amidst the chaos of World War I, and a love story as epic as the railways crossing Russia.

Critic reviews

A New York Times Summer Reading Selection
A Globe and Mail "Best Reads of the Summer" Pick
One of the Jewish News "Books That Are a Must-Read This Summer"
A Forbes "Best Historical Novels for Summer 2019"

"Epic...Barenbaum carves a fresh story from some of the period's most evocative and disturbing details."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 13.0px 'Times New Roman'}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}New York Times

"A thrilling adventure."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 13.0px 'Times New Roman'}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}NPR

"A rousing debut...Fans of Kristen Hannah will enjoy Barenbaum's exhilarating tale."—Publishers Weekly

"Heartpounding historical drama."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}B&N Reads, Best Books of 2019 So Far

"A Bend in the Stars is a vivid and wrenching debut, full not only with the darkness of history but also with hope---a literary saga for fans of The Invisible Bridge and All The Light We Cannot See. Love and war and relativity weave together seamlessly, and we're left understanding that there's more than one way for the universe to bend."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Rebecca Makkai, author of the National Book Award Finalist The Great Believers

"A sweeping epic that transports the reader into another era, even as the struggles of its characters feel powerfully modern and timely."—Madeline Miller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Circe

"A romantic adventure with a nearly dovetailed ending that will appeal to fans of Kristin Hannah and Pam Jenoff."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Booklist

"A thick, juicy novel packed with history, science, adventure, fully-realized characters, and a race to the 1914 solar eclipse."—Literary North

"An epic adventure that spins through rich terrain; several engrossing love stories, including one between remarkable siblings; and a scientific intrigue that pits dark ambition against a passionate love of science...The characters Barenbaum brings to life demonstrate resilience in the face of prejudice, steadfastness in the face of defeat, and the ability to love even when the world has cracked with hate."—Los Angeles Review of Books

Religious persecution and struggles of old Russia

This is a family's story. Written by a grand daughter about one family's struggle for greatness and getting out of a crumbling country. It looks at the old russian corruption and how the people lived within these circumstances.
Great love story from beginning to end. Filled with life events that pull at the heart strings. Well written and I would by another book by this author.

Loved!

The story started off a little slow but was wonderful. I would definitely recommend and likely listen to again.

Long but worth the effort it takes to finish this.

Epic tale of love war and science. I bet it will be made into a movie.

Chapters were introduced by wrong sequence

Good book.
Errors in production made it unfair to reader and honestly, to the author. I will finish it because my library paper copy is due. But it’s good listening to. Except that “tiny” mistake in production.

Wonderful historic fiction, compelling narration

Loved the characters, the plot and emotion which built this story. Highly recommended read across every demographic.