The Girl with the Golden Scissors

A Novel

By: Julia Drosten, Deborah Langton - translator

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati

From the bestselling author of The Lioness of Morocco and The Elephant Keeper’s Daughter, the story of an ambitious young woman discovering friendship, love, and her own identity on the eve of World War I.

Christmas 1889. A baby is born in the early hours at Vienna General Hospital, only to be abandoned by her unwed mother and entrusted to a foundling home and its loving caretaker.

Fanny Schindler grows from a precocious girl into a strong-willed young woman. Undeterred by the rules of her station, she’s determined to rise above her humble origins and pursue her dreams at all costs, becoming an apprentice to one of the most glamorous fashion houses in Austria-Hungary. All the while, as Fanny searches for a sense of belonging, her path crosses with those of three people who will change her future. To one, she is a cherished friend. To another, a confidant. And to a handsome career soldier, something more.

When hostilities in Europe burst into flame as a brutal world war, the future of the dual monarchy is at stake, friendships are strained, loyalties are tested, and everything is at risk. And when long-buried secrets about Fanny’s past come to light, she must decide what truly matters - and what is worth fighting for in a new world of infinite possibilities.

©2017 Julia Peczynsky and Horst Drosten (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2019 by Deborah Langton

An historic novel about the entry into WWI

A significant amount of this book takes place in Vienna. In the years leading up to the start of WWI. This book, originally written in German and translated to English gives a whole new perspective on life in the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the era. It is written about a time and place of which I had only a passing knowledge, so part of what I gained was some of the social history of the era of the dual monarchy. I enjoyed it a great deal and would recommend to friends who are interested in historical fiction.

Great story!

I had to speed up the narration to 1.5x, but other than an inordinately slow narrator, this was a great story and I fished it in a day. I do wish for a different ending, but it was a realistic one, rather than a romantic version.

Wonderful

Totally enjoyed the historic background and the character development of the story. Also enjoyed the romantic aspect. Looking forward to reading more things of this genre.

Beautiful Novel

This is an engrossing story. it was very interesting to listen to the story of World War 1 from a different perspective. I found the character realistic interesting and most were very likable. The narration did not subtract from the story at times the flow even added to the story.

Historical fiction in a different than usual time and place

This was well done! I could “see” Vienna, “feel” the times!

Setting is Vienna, before and during WWI. For me, this is unusual and was exciting to learn more about this place and time. It was also fun to learn more about fashion and education during these times.

Characters are well thought and presented. History review at end of book is valuable.

Totally enjoyed this book!