The Child Without a Home

The Child Without a Home by Ann Bennett is a poignant narrative published by Grand Central Publishing in 2023, comprising 336 pages. This reissue draws inspiration from the true stories of forgotten orphans during World War II, focusing on the harrowing journey of twelve-year-old Agnes as she navigates the chaos of war after losing her family. The story unfolds in two timelines, juxtaposing Agnes’s struggles in 1944 with Freya’s quest for understanding in present-day Cambridge, as she seeks to uncover her family’s history.
Readers will find a compelling exploration of themes such as family life and the impact of war on individuals, particularly women and children. As Agnes grapples with her mother’s dying wish to protect her younger brother, the narrative delves into the depths of loss and resilience. Freya’s encounter with Agnes serves as a catalyst for uncovering long-buried secrets, intertwining their lives in a quest for closure and understanding. This edition presents a rich historical context, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring effects of conflict and the bonds of family.
Official synopsis Publisher
Inspired by the true stories of the forgotten orphans of World War II, this heart-wrenching and moving tale about fighting for loved ones when all hope is lost will be perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer, Shirley Dickson, and Natasha Lester.
Agnes was running as fast as her legs would carry her. She was dragging Dieter along beside her, her heart pounding, her mouth dry, her breath coming in great, sobbing gulps… She was running as if her life depended on it-and she knew it did.
1944. When the war comes to twelve-year-old Agnes’ village her life changes in an instant. Her father is dragged away by soldiers and her mother is mercilessly killed, leaving Agnes and her younger brother Dieter orphaned. Frightened, and surrounded by enemies, Agnes has no choice but to carry out her mother’s dying wish, whispered to her before the light flickered from her eyes: Promise you’ll look after your brother for me, Agnes… But when Dieter’s hand slips from her own while crossing a river, the rest of Agnes’s world shatters in an instant-has she truly lost everything?
Cambridge, present day. When her beloved grandfather dies, Freya is distraught. Not only has she lost the man who helped raise her, but she knows his stories of World War Two, and a part of her family history, is gone forever. But when Freya meets her new neighbor Agnes, whose accent is just like her grandfather’s, she notices a weather-beaten image of a little blond boy in braces and boots that looks strangely familiar… Could Agnes hold the key to unlocking Freya’s past?
But Agnes has terrible secrets of her own, and she vowed never to speak about the little boy in the photograph who risked everything to save her… But if she doesn’t, she might never discover what happened to her little brother all those years ago…
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