The Song of the Jade Lily

A Novel

By: Kirsty Manning

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

“Kirsty Manning weaves together little-known threads of World War II history, family secrets, the past and the present into a page-turning, beautiful novel.""— Heather Morris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

A gripping historical novel that tells the little-known story of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai during WWII.

1939: Two young girls meet in Shanghai, also known as the “Paris of the East”. Beautiful local Li and Jewish refugee Romy form a fierce friendship, but the deepening shadows of World War II fall over the women as they slip between the city's glamorous French Concession district and the teeming streets of the Shanghai Ghetto. Yet soon the realities of war prove to be too much for these close friends as they are torn apart.

2016: Fleeing London with a broken heart, Alexandra returns to Australia to be with her grandparents, Romy and Wilhelm. Her grandfather is dying, and over the coming weeks Romy and Wilhelm begin to reveal the family mysteries they have kept secret for more than half a century. As fragments of her mother's history finally become clear, Alexandra struggles with what she learns while more is also revealed about her grandmother's own past in Shanghai.

After Wilhelm dies, Alexandra flies to Shanghai, determined to trace her grandparents' past. Peeling back the layers of their hidden lives, she is forced to question what she knows about her family—and herself.

The Song of the Jade Lily is a lush, provocative, and beautiful story of friendship, motherhood, the price of love, and the power of hardship and courage that can shape us all.

A wonderfully educational read!

This book was so different than most WWII books. Please take the time to listen and reference the different times and places as you will learn so much about far more than the usual Germany/Japan stories found in other books during this time period.

gripping story

heart-wrenching, full of emotion, wonderful characters and detailed setting. everything I enjoy in a historical novel

Love historical romance

These novels are ‘tailor’ written for those readers who enjoy historical influence on the present, whether for characters or events. One must concentrate with the jumps between past and present but another winner for me. Thanks Kristy!

A fascinating part of world history!

Of course, I learned nothing about Jewish refugees escaping to China in school, so this was a great story to actually learn from. I didn't like the narrators attempts at accents, since she would let the accent slip after a few sentences. Overall, the story was good. characters believable and the last 3 chapters were very unexpected!

Excellent book! I didn't want to put it down.

So much went on during the war and so many brave souls survived. I love reading about their lives.