Across Great Divides

By: Monique Roy

Narrated by: Angela Ness

Across Great Divides is a timeless, World War II story of the upheavals of war, the power of family, and the resiliency of human spirit. When Hitler comes to power in 1933, one Jewish family refuses to be destroyed and defies the Nazis only to come up against another struggle - confronting Apartheid in South Africa.

Sixteen-year-old Eva and her twin sister, Inge, witness their lives in Berlin change before their eyes. Their best friend, Trudy, betrays them when she becomes a member of the Hitler Youth. A valuable family heirloom, a beautiful emerald and diamond pendant necklace, is confiscated by the Nazis as they harass Jewish families and businesses.

Their younger brother, Max, a member of the underground resistance, sees even greater danger ahead. Their father, Oskar, refuses to leave his beloved Germany and believes Hitler will eventually fail.

They finally flee Nazi Germany with the help of the underground resistance - a young German man, a nun, a countess conspiring against the Nazis, and a winegrower secretly hiding Jewish children.

War continues to follow them until they arrive in Cape Town, South Africa. The family hires an impoverished colored woman, Zoe, as their maid and shields her and her daughter, Zola, from the dangers they face in the slums and from the horrors of Apartheid, which are all too reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

Across Great Divides illuminates a Jewish family in Germany in WWII caught in significant 20th century travesties: the Nazi occupation of Europe during World War Two and Apartheid in South Africa.

©2013 Monique Roy (P)2017 Monique Roy

Good story potential; technical issues with it

The story is that of a well written about part of history, but from a somewhat unique perspective; that of a families struggle with leaving one horror (Nazism) only to be dropped into another (Apartheid0 as seen through the eyes of a twin daughter. This story has ton of potential to be a moving and perplexing listen. The work is well written in that the characters and plot are well developed and the narration of Angela Ness fits the people and locales very nicely.

However, the technical issues with this listen were just too much to overcome. Sentences often repeated (not the fault of the narrator from the sound of it) and at a couple of points it reverted back to the previous chapter. I tried downloading the book again, but had the same issue. Audible really needs to look into this as the technical recording issues get in the way of a well thought out story.

A review copy of this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. If you found this review helpful, please take a moment to click yes below.

Enjoyable book, technical issues with audio

This story follows a family from Germany to South Africa and highlights the various trials they encounter. Audible's summary explains the storyline nicely. This book is not long, therefore, there is not too much detail covering the backstory or setting but there is the right amount to make this story go smoothly. There is not any explicit sex or violence described.
This could be the story about a real family who lived during the Nazi and Apartheid era. Despite their hardships, they are some of the lucky ones.

The narrator has a pleasant voice and did a lovely job narrating this book. I would listen to another book by this narrator.
I would read/ listen to another book by this author.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.

The audiobook does however have many technical issues that I hope will be remedied.