The Breaking Wave

By: Nevil Shute

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Allan had been away from Coombaragana, flying in the Royal Air Force. Now he has returned, wounded and disillusioned, to his ancestral home. Days before, Jessie Proctor had taken her own life. Why? Allan looked at the young face in the photograph in Jessie’s passport and froze. He knew who she really was.

©1983 Mrs. Donald C. Mayfield (P)1988 Recorded Books, LLC

Excellent Nevil Shute

It is a story as most of his of war and the countries of England and Australia. There are wonderful people, There are impressive stories. It is almost unbearably sad.

I was warned there would be tears, but I was not prepared.

We are devoted Nevil Shute fans and have read some of his books repeatedly. This is not one I regret listening to but do not think I will repeat it. It is just too sad.

Wonderful and challenged characters.

Another amazing story from Nevil Shute. He is a skilled writer, capturing the essence of people and where they live and the depth of their character and human experiences. He’s also able to give real credibility to the technical aspects of his story... airplanes and sea craft and weapons. He paints a picture with his fabulous descriptions that transport the reader to these places. The narrator was also wonderful, bringing the story to life!

Keeps you hanging on!

Nevil Shute has become one of my favorite authors. The Breaking Wave did not disappoint. I don’t think a better narrator could’ve been chosen. His voice was perfect for the part. Shute takes ordinary people and makes them characters that you want to know. You want to know All the boring details of their lives. I’m not sure which of his books is my favorite but this is in the running.

Requiem for a Wren Is the Better Title

This is a poignant, low-key, loving story about the wartime and postwar experience of an extraordinary women who loses almost all of her relationships and is psychologically scarred by her wartime experiences as a wren (Women’s Royal Naval Service). The story is told by her would-be-fiance’s brother who is also carrying his own physical and psychological wounds from the war. An upbeat ending resolves what otherwise might have been a depressing story.

Maybe my Favorite Nevil Shute Novel

Shute knows Britain before Operation Overlord like he lived it-- which he probably did. Unbelievably great story line and characters coping with the tragedy of the war and it's aftermath while doing their duty to the best of their abilities. It focuses on doing what's right while the world crumbles around you.