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The Children of Willesden Lane
- Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival
- Narrated by: Mona Golabek
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
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Publisher's Summary
Based on the true story of her mother, Mona Golabek describes the inspirational story of Lisa Jura's escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to England on the famed Kindertransport.
Jewish musical prodigy Lisa Jura has a wonderful life in Vienna. But when the Nazis start closing in on the city, life changes irreversibly. Although he has three daughters, Lisa's father is only able to secure one berth on the Kindertransport. The family decides to send Lisa to London so that she may pursue her dreams of a career as a concert pianist.
Separated from her beloved family, Lisa bravely endures the trip and a disastrous posting outside London before finding her way to the Willesden Lane Orphanage. It is in this orphanage that Lisa's story truly comes to life. Her music inspires the other orphanage children, and they, in turn, cheer her on in her efforts to make good on her promise to her family to realize her musical potential. Through hard work and sheer pluck, Lisa wins a scholarship to study piano at the Royal Academy.
As she supports herself and studies, she makes a new life for herself and dreams of reconnecting with the family she was forced to leave behind. The resulting tale delivers a message of the power of music to uplift the human spirit and to grant the individual soul endurance, patience, and peace.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Children of Willesden Lane
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- sharon
- 04-28-16
A Beautiful Memoir
I really loved this memoir! It was well written,and had a great narrator. It was a very touching story about a Jewish girl rescued from the Nazis in Austria. She was one of the more than 10,000 children of the Kinder transport in 1939. The book told of her courageous journey to become a concert pianist in London. Memorable Characters and a real historical feel for the Blitz and
WW2 England. The addition of the sound effects and the insertion of the classical music.at key points really enhanced my listening experience. It would make a WONDERFUL movie!
4 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-28-16
Amazing Performance
This is not just a beautifully told story but a performance you will never forget.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sefra
- 03-23-16
Best Audio Book I've ever listened to.
The story alone is moving, but the extra touches added to this audio book and the performance was spot on. I was brought to tears. A MUST read if the ever was one.
2 people found this helpful
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- CHARMAINE
- 05-10-20
Thank you
A very deep bow of gratitude for sharing your mother's story with so much tenderness 🙏🙏
1 person found this helpful
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- Andrea
- 03-12-22
Read this
It’s a beautiful story ….It was obviously a work of love that has resulted in a worthy book of history.
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- Michelle
- 03-04-22
Inspiring, thought provoking, beautiful story
I want to share this book with everyone on the planet. Lisa Jura's story needs to be heard. The reading and performance of her daughter (author) Mona Golabek is absolutely incredible. The mission of Hold On To Your Music Foundation and the WillesdenReads project can change the World but this book can change one reader/listener at a time. Thank you, Mona, for sharing your mother with us.
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- Lissa Goldman
- 11-19-21
Inspiring and beautifully done
Although this could have been categorized as YA it was inspiring and so well done. The PDF accompanying the book is well worth the credit!
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- Linda
- 09-20-21
Narration
The narration was flat. I almost did not finish listening, but I wanted to know the outcome.
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- Judith Brosz
- 06-04-20
Moving beautiful
The story was traumatic and moving. A story that needs to be told and heard over and over lest we forget.
Read and preformed by the girl’s/lady’s daughter made this audio book even more impressive.
I’ve seen Mona Golabek presenting this show. A magnificent pianist herself.
Thank you a story with music is priceless.
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- K.A.
- 10-16-19
Wow
This book is AMAZING!! I loved it! I’m speechless! It’s just so incredible! The music was incredible and so beautiful! Just wow.
-SEA age 11
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- tracey renz
- 03-18-18
inspirational.
This book was a little slow at first but took off wonderfully once Lisa boarded the train.
I enjoyed the narrators voice and her accent .
Lisa was brave and courageous. It just shows that if you have a talent like that you should never give up.