Abigail

By: Magda Szabó, Len Rix - translator

Narrated by: Samantha Desz

From the author of The Door, a beloved coming-of-age tale set in WWII-era Hungary.

Abigail, the story of a headstrong teenager growing up during World War II, is the most beloved of Magda Szabo's books in her native Hungary. Gina is the only child of a general, a widower who has long been happy to spoil his bright and willful daughter. Gina is devastated when the general tells her that he must go away on a mission and that he will be sending her to boarding school in the country. She is even more aghast at the grim religious institution to which she soon finds herself consigned.

She fights with her fellow students, she rebels against her teachers, finds herself completely ostracized, and runs away. Caught and brought back, there is nothing for Gina to do except entrust her fate to the legendary Abigail, as the classical statue of a woman with an urn that stands on the school's grounds has come to be called. If you're in trouble, it's said, leave a message with Abigail and help will be on the way. And for Gina, who is in much deeper trouble than she could possibly suspect, a life-changing adventure is only beginning.

©1970 Magda Szabó (P)2020 Tantor

The war time era in Hungary

I found the story very interesting but hard to follow with the different characters. I always thought something was missing. I thing I will listen again to the story

Who knew boarding school could be exciting?

Abigail is a statue in a strict religious boarding school in Hungary in the late years of WWII. Abigail is the visible tip of a secret organization against the war.
The good parts of this seemingly all repressive institution are developed over time with the gradual awareness of a fairly spoiled young woman from the high life of the capital. Interesting characters!

Loved this

Such a great book. The storyline was unique and had lots of twists and turns. The characters were interesting. The narrator was easy to listen to.

Coming of age story of curiosity

Interesting perspective on growing up in unexpected conditions— how boarding school, war, teenage hood, family dynamics and heroism all overlap to make an interesting story

Fantastic Book

I loved this book. It was heart wrenching and heart warming. I was on the edge of my seat at the end. The narrator was not the best, but the story was fantastic.